A self-styled Libyan army slowed down its push on the countrys capital over concerns for civilians caught up in the violence as the UN refugee agency said Monday that the fighting for Tripoli has displaced more than 32,000 people. Fighting erupted on April 5, pitting the Libyan National Army, led by commander Khalifa Hafter and aligned with a rival government in the east, against militias affiliated with Tripolis UN-supported government. The clashes threaten to ignite a new civil war in Libya on the scale of the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The death toll from this months fighting climbed to 254, including combatants and civilians, the World Health Organization said Sunday. At least 34 more people died in the past two days, WHO said; 1,228 were wounded. Since launching his push, which many see as a power grab for Tripoli, Hafters forces have captured the districts of Gharyan and Qasr Bani Ghashir, along with several smaller towns. They also seized the capitals shuttered old airport. Fighting is now underway for control of Ain Zara and Azizyia, two larger towns near Tripoli, and in the Abu Salim district, about 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Tripoli center. Abdelhadi Lahouij, the top diplomat for the east-based government, told The Associated Press in Tunis on Sunday that Hafters push was slowed down because of concerns for civilians in the greater Tripoli area, estimated to number about 3 million. If the civilians had not been taken into account, the battle would not have lasted even a week, he said. "The army is today 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Tripoli. It controls the (old) airport and the bridge that connects the airport to the city center," Lahouij said. He also lauded President Donald Trumps call to Hafter last week expressing US support for the Libyan commanders perceived stance against terrorism and Hafters role in "securing Libyas oil resources." A White House statement on Friday also said "the two discussed a shared vision for Libyas transition to a stable, democratic political system." Trumps phone call was a step "in the right direction," Lahouij said. Since Gadhafis ouster, Libya has slid into chaos, governed by rival authorities in the east and in Tripoli, each backed by various militias and armed groups fighting over resources and territory. Hafter has vowed to unify the country. He has led previous campaigns against militants and other rivals in eastern Libya.