Clashes between rival militia groups have erupted in the center of the Libyan capital city of Tripoli three months after the collapse of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi

Clashes between rival militia groups have erupted in the center of the Libyan capital city of Tripoli three months after the collapse of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, media reports said.

The sound of heavy and light weapons being shot could be heard coming from the district of al-Saadi beach on Wednesday.

This is while plumes of smoke rose from the area of the fighting, which had been continuing for at least 40 minutes.

Following Gaddafi's ouster, the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) has been struggling to impose its authority on Libya. However, heavily-armed militias are fighting spontaneously in several districts of the capital.