At least 55 people have died, and 146 others were injured as fighting erupted between two major armed factions in Tripoli, Libya's southern city, on Wednesday.

Fighting erupted on Monday following the arrest of Mahmoud Hamza, leader of the 444 Brigade, as he sought to go via Tripoli's main Mitiga airport. He was caught by the Special Deterrence Force, a rival party that controls the airport. His incarceration is being held for unknown reasons.

PHOTO | COURTESY a building on fire

According to state news agency LANA, the fighting ended late Tuesday after an agreement was struck with the UN-recognized Government of National Unity to transfer Hamza to a neutral party.

The violence is considered the most intense of the year, with photographs showing smoke billowing above the capital after the nocturnal skirmishes.

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According to LANA, the agreement calls for stopping all military activities in Tripoli, returning military troops to their barracks, evaluating damage to public and private property, and compensation from the Government of National Unity.

PHOTO | COURTESY military

The country has seen little peace since it was split between warring factions in 2014 following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Moammar Gadhafi. According to Reuters, the Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade are considered the strongest military forces in the Libyan capital.

Since the country was split between warring factions in 2014, following the NATO-backed rebellion against Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, according to Reuters, the Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade are the most potent armed forces in Libya's capital.