TRIPOLI, Oct 15: Libyan fighters fanned out in Tripoli neighbourhoods on Saturday to search for armed supporters of fugitive leader Muammar Qadhafi a day after a major gunbattle rocked the capital for the first time in two months.

Dozens of men combed apartment buildings for suspects and weapons in the Abu Salim neighbourhood, which is home to the prison of the same name that became notorious for the abuse and killing of Qadhafi opponents. A day earlier, a gunbattle broke out in the area when a group tried to raise the green flag that symbolizes the ousted regime.

Revealing serious divisions within the revolutionary ranks, Saturday’s sweep of Abu Salim was mainly being conducted by a breakaway militia that refuses to answer to the main Tripoli military council.

It is one of many factions that have refused to put themselves under the umbrella of official revolutionary authorities, raising fears of vigilante justice as the North African nation faces continued fighting by loyalists of the fugitive leader.

One anti-Qadhafi fighter stomped a green flag as others searched vehicles. Another showed off a box found stuffed with bullets he said was found in a second-floor apartment in one of the residential buildings.

Abdullah Naker, the head of the so-called revolutionary council, called on all anti-Qadhafi forces to join them in the search and warned his men will fight anybody who gets in their way.

“All of Tripoli will be searched and we will reorganise our checkpoints and our guards in public and private institutions inside of Tripoli and outside of Tripoli,” he told reporters.

He said eight wanted men and 12 other suspects had been arrested. He also alleged that teachers have been telling students that Qadhafi will return and said teams had been sent to stop the practice.

“We gave the military council a chance to prove themselves and they failed and we will not leave things to chance,” he said.

Friday’s gunbattle was the first major violence in Tripoli between Qadhafi supporters and revolutionary forces since the then-rebels swept into the capital in late August and forced the long-time leader into hiding.

The flare-up in Tripoli and fierce resistance on two other fronts have set back the new rulers’ stated goals of declaring total victory and establishing democracy as Qadhafi, the ruler for nearly 42 years, remains on the run.

The capital has been relatively calm since then-rebels swept into the city two months ago. But Qadhafi’s loyalists have control of parts of his hometown of Sirte and the desert enclave of Bani Walid and have fought off Nato-backed revolutionary forces besieging them for weeks. Qadhafi has tried to rally his supporters with several audio recordings issued from hiding.

The fire-fight in Tripoli began after Friday prayers. Witnesses said dozens of loyalists carrying the green flag appeared on a square in the Abu Salim neighborhood, which has long been a pro-Qadhafi stronghold. Residents also reported fighting in several other areas known to still hold loyalists of the former leader.—AP