A militia commander from the Libyan port city of Misurata died in Malta on Thursday as gun battles raged in the capital Tripoli, Times of Malta has learnt.

Nuri Hassan Friwan, 40, was hurt in clashes with a rival group and brought to the island on Tuesday night. Sources said he arrived aboard an air ambulance and was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.

Mr Friwan’s death sparked the fighting that killed at least one person and injured several others in Tripoli on Thursday night. It was reported that dozens of heavily armed militiamen from Misurata stormed into the capital seeking revenge for Mr Friwan’s death.

This was the second time in a week that rival militia groups battled each other with anti-aircraft gunfire and grenades in Tripoli.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday said: “The Government is following the situation and keeping in constant contact with the Libyan government.”

The situation is already on the agenda of talks Dr Muscat will have with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta on Monday, but the importance had grown, Dr Muscat added.

In a joint statement yesterday, the UK, US, France, and Italy urged Libyans to work together in the national interest. They were “concerned” the instability threatened efforts to consolidate democracy.

“We reiterate our support to the elected political institutions and call on Libyans to reject any use of force against them,” it said.

Nearly two years after rebels supported by Nato airstrikes overthrew Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is in a state of lawlessness as militias struggle for power and wealth.

Additional reporting Gavin Cordon/PA