133 Libyans killed in al-Kufra tribal clashes

mercenaries'  burnt out vehicle About 133 people have been killed in fighting between two tribes in Libya’s remote south-eastern area. This comes as Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council forces struggle to

secure full control over Libya following the fall of the Gaddafi regime.
Fighting first broke out between the Zwai and the Tebu groups in al-Kufra 10 days ago.
The Arab Zawi people are battling with the African Tebu ethnic tribe in al-Kufra, which complained of discrimination during the Gaddafi era.
Libyan Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs called on the two tribes to end the clashes saying that what is happening is against Islam and Muslims are brothers.
The Ministry added in a statement, a copy of which was received by ‘Arabstoday’, that dialogue is the only solution and both parties must stop the violence.
The statement also called on the Ministry of Defence to intervene.

Issa Abdelmajid, chief of the Toubu tribe said in a press release that some 113 people from the Toubu tribe and 23 from the Zwai tribe have been killed in the remote town of Kufra in the sahara desert, on Tuesday.
The ruling NTC has so far not intervened. "We tried calling the NTC but they have not responded," the tribal chief whose forces  fought  those of Muammar Gaddafi during last year’s uprising.
"We have been under siege for a week. Since the start of the clashes, 113 people from our side have been killed, including six children,"  He added that 241 members of his tribe had been injured.
"I appeal to the international community to intervene and stop these clashes which are aimed at exterminating my tribe," Abdelmajid added.
A spokesperson for the Zwai tribe confirmed 23 deaths and said that 53 people from their side had been wounded. Yunus Zwai added that the opposing tribe has the support of outside forces.
“People from the Toubu tribe are being helped by foreign elements from Chad and Sudan. We have arrested several Chadian and Sudanese fighters,” Yunus Zwai, spokesman for Kufra local council said.
Within the same context, NTC spokesman Mohamed al-Harizi said that Libyan thuwar (anti-Gaddafi revolutionaries) were heading to Kufra on Tuesday.
"The thuwar are moving there to secure the southern border, to ensure that there are no foreign elements entering Libya and to secure the town of Kufra," Harizi said without confirming the casualties but adding that the situation remained "critical."
On Monday he told Libya's official LANA news agency that the situation in Kufra was "not calm."
"There is an armed conflict between certain members of the society there in which several have been killed and wounded," Harizi said.
Libyan Army chief Yousef al-Mangoush said that a ceasefire was agreed on Sunday but clashes intensified on Monday.
He said government troops would be sent in if fighting does not stop in al-Kufra, which is about 2,000km (1,250 miles) from the capital Tripoli.
Kufra, with a population of about 40,000, is located in a triangle sharing borders with Egypt, Chad and Sudan. The Toubu tribe faced discrimination under Gaddafi’s regime.