Turkey concerned over escalation of violence in Libya

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey has voiced its concerns over the escalation of violence that took place in Libya`s capital Tripoli on Friday.

Friday’s clashes between forces loyal to the UN-backed and unity government -- based in the capital -- and forces loyal to the Tobruk-based government left at least 25 people dead, and 50 others injured in Tripoli.

"We are concerned about the clashes and the escalation of violence that took place in the capital of Libya in Tripoli on May 26," Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a written statement issued Saturday.

"We believe that the only way to settle differences of views is through dialogue and conciliation. In this vein, we call on all Libyans to refrain from resorting to violent actions that will damage the security and stability of the country and its capital in particular," the ministry said.

"We strongly emphasize the need to speedily reduce the military escalation which is at a dangerous level in various regions of Libya and to reach a cease-fire throughout the country," it added.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since early 2011, when leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody uprising -- backed by NATO airpower -- after 42 years in power.

In the wake of the uprising, the country’s stark political divisions yielded two rival seats of government -- one in Tobruk and the other in capital Tripoli -- and a host of competing militia groups.