Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said on Thursday that the country’s Defense Minister will be replaced due to an upsurge in violence.

“The Defense Minister will be thanked and we are going to name a new Minister,” Zeidan said in a speech, as quoted by AFP.

Zeidan said Mohammad al-Barghathi (photo) already put forward his resignation at the beginning of May before withdrawing it at the government’s request.

“After what happened yesterday, it has been decided that he will be relieved from his position. We will name a new Minister as soon as possible,” Reuters reported the PM as saying.

Libya’s capital witnessed heavy clashes after armed militiamen stormed Tripoli in an apparent revenge attack for a crackdown on militias in the capital.

Al Arabiya reported on Thursday that the overall death toll reached 10.

Fighting erupted early on Wednesday in the central Yarmouk military base. Soldiers were among those killed on Wednesday, including an Officer. Many more were wounded in the confrontation.

 

Source: AFP; Reuters; Al Arabiya