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EU pleads for calm in Libya

BRUSSELS, March 29 (UPI) -- The European Union calls on Tripoli to ensure parties to the conflict in Sebha lay down their weapons, a spokesman for a foreign affairs official said.

Three days of clashes between rival tribal factions in the southern Libyan town have left more than 70 people dead.

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A statement attributed to a representative for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called for calm.

"The EU calls for restraint from all involved in the conflict," the statement read. "It urges the government to redouble its efforts to make the parties lay down their weapons and to ensure that the wounded can be attended to and calls for calm be restored to Sebha as soon as possible."

NATO forces last year intervened after fighters loyal to Moammar Gadhafi responded with force to an uprising against his regime. Tribal clashes and separatist ambitions in Libya have lingered since Gadhafi's regime collapsed.

The independent Tripoli Post reports the situation in Sebha has returned to normal after tribal elders intervened.

The BBC, however, reports that some fighting was reported Thursday following reports of a cease-fire agreement earlier this week. The British broadcaster adds that Tripoli has sent troops to the region.

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