New fighting breaks out in Libyan capital

Fighting has broken out in the heart of the Libyan capital for the first time in two months as revolutionary forces open fire at suspected snipers loyal to Moammar Gaddafi.

Anti-Gaddafi fighters converged on the Hay Nasr district of Tripoli's Abu Salim neighborhood Friday in pickups mounted with weapons and began setting up checkpoints. Many opened fire at the buildings, fearing snipers were inside.

Assem al-Bashir, a fighter with Tripoli's Eagle Brigade, says the shooting began after a man was spotted raising the green flag that symbolized Gaddafi's ousted regime.

Booms echoed across the city in the first serious burst of violence in the capital since then-rebels seized control of the city in late August and forced Gaddafi into hiding.

AP