GENEVA - The World Health Organization says the number of people killed in two weeks of clashes in the Libyan capital, Tripoli has risen to more than 200.

Most of the dead were fighters, but 18 civilians have also died.

Thousands have been forced to flee their homes in areas close to the front lines in the southern suburbs.

The fighting began when forces loyal to the military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar launched an attempt to capture the city.

It's being defended by militias loosely aligned with the UN-backed government, which is based in Tripoli.(FA)

In another development, the UN refugee agency says it has evacuated nearly 180 migrants from a detention centre close to the area of fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

The agency said the operation was carried out amid crossfire.

People relocated from the Abu Salim centre were among its most vulnerable detainees - including women and children. There's grave concern for those still in the facility.

The fighting is between forces loyal to renegade general Khalifa Haftar and militia groups loosely aligned with the UN-backed government in Tripoli.(FA)