Truce holding in southeastern Libya

TRIPOLI, Libya, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The situation remains tense in southeastern Libya after the Red Cross said it evacuated more than two dozen people wounded in tribal clashes there.

The International Committee of the Red Cross announced it evacuated 28 people caught up in fighting between rival tribes in al-Kufra, Libya's largest administrative district.

Bruno Husquinet, a team leader for the ICRC, said volunteers were able to get the wounded out of the area after reaching agreements with rival tribal communities in the region.

"We came to al-Kufra at the request of both sides and of the Ministry of Health," he said in a statement. "After intense discussions, all those involved agreed to allow the ICRC to evacuate the wounded and sick people."

U.N. officials had said a truce was brokered between the rival tribal groups after disputes erupted in mid-February. The United Nations said tensions in the region are exacerbated by the high number of migrants crossing between border regions in the district.

At least 30 people were killed in the tribal clashes. The ICRC said it delivered some medical supplies to field hospitals in the area.

"There is less shooting now but the situation in al-Kufra is still tense," said Husquinet.