Seven people have been killed and more than 20 injured in clashes in Libya's western desert town of Ghadames, the government says.

利比亚政府称，西部沙漠城镇达米斯发生暴力冲突，7人死亡、20多人受伤。

Government spokesman Nasser el-Maneaa blamed an "armed group from outside the town" for the violence.

He added that the army had been sent to Ghadames and the situation was now under control.

Unconfirmed reports say the clashes were between town residents and Tuareg tribesmen - nomads¹ who roam the desert.

The fighting erupted over control of a checkpoint on the edge of the town - on a route often used for smuggling², local officials were quoted as saying by Reuters.

Libya's interim³ government is struggling to control the vast country with numerous tribal⁴ groups after former leader Col Muammar Gaddafi was ousted⁵ in the uprising last year.

Many Tuaregs supported the late leader during the fighting.