Hundreds of prisoners escaped from Tripoli jail using the “window of opportunity” opened due to destabilization caused by ongoing fighting between rival armed groups in the Libyan capital. An official said as the United Nations called for the warring parties to meet on  September 4.

The inmates forced open the doors of the Ain Zara prison and guards were unable to stop them, the official said, confirming a judiciary police statement posted on social media, mentioning escape of 400 convicted.

According to Reuters news agency the official asked not to get identified and could not provide more details.

The prison is located in southern Tripoli, an area hit for one week by heavy fighting between armed groups.