Ethnic fighting has left at least 20 people dead in the south Libyan town of Sabha after an incident with a monkey, medical sources say.

The pet monkey assaulted a schoolgirl, leading her family to seek revenge. Three young men were killed along with the animal in initial fighting. Days of fighting followed between the Awlad Suleiman and Guedadfa groups. Casualties may be greater as the death toll is reportedly for the Awlad Suleiman group only.

Reports suggest tanks, rockets, mortars and other heavy weapons were used in the fighting, in which at least 50 people were also wounded.

Read more: BBC News