CAIRO: The head of Libya's Tabu tribe says his people will boycott this week's election if the government does not withdraw tanks from a southern city where deadly clashes have killed dozens.

African Tabu leader Issa Abdel-Majid told The Associated Press by telephone Sunday that government troops have used deadly force against Tabu fighters battling a rival Arab tribe in the city of Kufra.

The clashes have intensified over the past week. No exact death toll could be determined.

The July 7 election is for an assembly that would draw up a constitution and name a government. It's the first nationwide vote since the ouster of longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi last year.

Some leaders in eastern Libya are also calling for an election boycott, pushing for semi-autonomy instead.