UN mission condemns clashes in W. Libya

TRIPOLI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Friday condemned the ongoing armed clashes in the city of Zawiya and surrounding areas, warning that the violence poses severe risks to civilians and vital infrastructure in western Libya.

In a statement, the mission stressed that the use of heavy weapons and indiscriminate gunfire inside densely populated residential neighborhoods is "unacceptable and places civilians at grave risk."

It also expressed concern over reports that residential compounds near the Zawiya oil refinery were being used for military purposes, noting that "civilian infrastructure must not be turned into battlegrounds," while urging all parties to immediately cease hostilities.

At least five people were killed and several others injured on Friday following the outbreak of intense armed clashes in the city of Zawiya, about 60 km west of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, local media reported.

Earlier in the day, Libya's Zawiya Oil Refining Company announced a full shutdown of the Zawiya refinery and the evacuation of oil tankers from its port on Friday, following armed clashes near the oil complex, and activated an emergency.