"At least four people were killed today but that number could rise," said Othman Ben Sassi, a member of the ruling National Transitional Council, and a native of Zwarah, 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Tripoli, near Tunisia.
He added that the exact number of casualties remained unknown.
"The situation is critical in Zwarah. It is being hit by rockets fired from the (nearby) towns of Regdalin and Jamil," he said.
Tensions have simmered in and around Zwarah since the collapse of slain leader Moamer Kadhafi`s regime last October. Residents there were accused of supporting the dictator during the 2011 conflict.
Libyan Interior Minister Fawzi Abdelali told journalists on Tuesday that efforts were underway to put an end to the fighting.
"The interior ministry has sent a force of 200 men towards the region," he said, urging both sides to act with restraint.
These clashes come soon after tribal fighting in the southern city of Sabha, which left more than 147 dead and 395 wounded in a week, before the government imposed a ceasefire.
The interim government has struggled to impose its authority on dozens of brigades comprising of former rebels who fought against Kadhafi`s forces and who now have become a law unto themselves.
Tribesmen, militias and residents of several regions have shown little hesitation in using force to settle disputes. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
