UPDATE - Death toll from clashes between rival militias in Libya rises to 12

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL

By Mohammad Erteima and Aydogan Kalabalik

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Death toll from the clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital rose to 12 on Saturday, authorities said.

According to the Libyan Health Ministry, 12 civilians were killed and 87 others injured in the clashes that erupted in several areas in Tripoli.

The clashes, which started this morning in the capital between the two rival militias, continue to intensify.

The Education Ministry announced it canceled the high school graduation exams due to the clashes, while Libyan Wings Airlines temporarily suspended its flights to Türkiye and Tunisia.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday released a statement, calling for "an immediate cessation of the clashes."

"The escalation of violence also jeopardizes the Libyan people's determination to achieve lasting peace and stability and their vision of advancing the political process, especially the holding of elections," it added.

Reiterating Ankara's support for the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Libya, the statement said Türkiye expects "the parties to silence their weapons and focus on solving their problems peacefully as soon as possible."

The violence came amid military buildups by forces affiliated with Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and troops loyal to Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed by the Tobruk-based parliament as prime minister in March, as both figures claim power and authority in the capital.

Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011 when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.

* Faruk Zorlu in Ankara contributed to this story