Tripoli, September 1 (RHC)-- A Libyan militia group says it has secured the U.S. Embassy and its residential compound in the capital, Tripoli, since last week. An unnamed commander for the Fajr (Dawn) Libya militiamen made the remarks on Sunday.

"We've secured the location and the assets of the embassy," he said, adding, "We've informed our command... immediately after entering the place following the exit of the rival militia. The place is secure and under protection."

A video posted on-line showed unarmed men playing in the embassy courtyard. American diplomats were evacuated from Libya to neighboring Tunisia on July 26th because of raging violence. Libya has been witnessing one of its worst spasms of violence since the overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Recent fighting between armed groups has prompted almost all foreign diplomats and thousands of residents to flee Tripoli.

Rival militiamen, who refuse to lay down arms, are fighting for total rule over the North African country, and the army has been unable to curb the widespread lawlessness.