15 killed in tribal clashes in Libya

At least 15 people were killed and 55 were injured in fighting between local tribes near Libya's southern city of Sebha, security sources said Wednesday.

The deadly clashes took place between members of the Awlad Suleiman and the Qaddadfa tribes. Local residents said that many houses were destroyed and continuous bombing was heard over the last two week, Xinhua reported.

Earlier, the tribes reached several truce deals after mediation by local elders and tribal leaders, but none of the agreements were taken seriously.

A security official in urban Sebha confirmed that the clashes have killed 15 people and injured 55, but the two sides have not showed any sign of stopping the fight.

Sebha, a city located near an oasis in southwestern Libya, is crucial for the security along Libya's southern border with Niger, Chad and Sudan. Earlier reports indicated that many extremists and militants could easily immigrate into Libya due to the relatively loose border control.