Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday that his country is “closely following the situation in Tripoli” after violence erupted between armed groups.
The clashes broke out after forces from Libya’s Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism detained Colonel Mahmoud Hamza, commander of the 444th Combat Brigade, at Mitiga Airport on Monday while he was en route to a graduation ceremony in Misrata.
27 people were killed and over hundred injured since the fighting began, according to Libya’s Emergency Service.
Tajani said via Twitter that he spoke with his Libyan counterpart Najla Mangoush to discuss the situation in Tripoli.
“Priority remains stabilization of [Libya], without violence or interference, and start the path towards democratic elections,” he said.