Six people have been killed and at least four injured in renewed fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, this week, according to the ministry of health.

This is the first casualty toll to be published since armed clashes between rival groups erupted again in the southern suburbs of the capital.

This week’s fighting has steadily intensified and comes after the Libyan prime minister announced plans for new security arrangements in the capital - with the aim of phasing out irregular forces nominally allied to the ministries of interior and defence.

A power distributor was also hit during the clashes, knocking out electricity supplies to large parts of western and southern Libya.

The UN mission has urged the armed groups to cease hostilities, saying it will hold their leaders accountable for any civilians harmed.

Fighting earlier this month killed more than 60 people and left more than 100 others injured, until a ceasefire was brokered by the UN.

In the wake of the ceasefire, Tripoli's only airport reopened but shut down within days after it came under rocket fire.