Tripoli, May 20 (IANS): Militias loyal to the Libyan parliament were deployed in key areas in Libya's capital Tripoli Tuesday amid rising tensions with General Khalifa Haftar.
Soldiers piled sand-bags on key roads and armoured cars were seen shuttling on the streets, while check points were set up around the city, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
Tensions emerged after many army officials and militias pledged their loyalty to General Khalifa Haftar.
Haftar, who played a key role in toppling Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, is now waging a war against the parliament forces in Tripoli and trying to force General National Congress (GNC) to abandon its power.
On Sunday, forces loyal to Haftar and Zintan militia launched attacks near the parliament compound and on the airport road, leaving two dead and more than 60 injured.
Hafter Friday also led his troops into the second largest city of Benghazi, pounding local militia bases, leaving at least 79 dead and around 140 injured.
Haftar claimed his maneuvers were to purge parliament and the city of "terrorists", while the interim government and parliament condemned his moves as trying to stage a "coup".
GNC president Nouri Abu Sahmain Monday called a militia from Misrata for help, asking them to confront the "attempts to take over power" in Tripoli.
Sources said the GNC lawmakers are now holding meetings, trying to figure out a peace solution as recently more army forces have voiced their support for Haftar.
Since the downfall of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become an arena for different interest groups and they all are trying to fill the power vacuum in the North African Country.