Intense fighting broke out in the Libyan capital overnight and continued into Saturday morning, with rival factions firing heavily and several loud explosions being heard, Reuters reported.

Fierce fighting in the Libyan capitalPhoto: Twitter

The clashes took place in the center of Tripoli, witnesses said, amid a political struggle for control of the Libyan government that has seen an increase in the mobilization of armed groups around the capital in recent weeks.

Images and videos posted online from the city center showed military vehicles racing through the streets, militants firing and local residents trying to put out fires.

“It’s terrible. My family and I couldn’t sleep because of the fighting. The sound was too loud and too scary,” said Abdulmenam Salem, a resident of central Tripoli.

“We have not slept in case we have to leave quickly. It is a terrible feeling,” he added.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Health did not comment on the fighting.

The main conflict in Libya is between the government of national unity in Tripoli, led by Abdulhamid al-Dbaybah, and the rival administration led by Fathi Bashagh, supported by the eastern parliament.