At least four soldiers and one civilian have been killed after special forces clashed with armed fighters in the eastern port city of Benghazi, the army has reported. The interim leader of Libya’s army warned of a “bloodbath” as the unrest in the city flared up again, a week after clashes there killed more than 30 people.
Shortly before dawn, heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard near the headquarters of the special forces, not far from the city centre.
The Facebook page of the special forces said its members were exchanging light arms and rocket fire with an “outlaw” group and reported that two of its fighters had been wounded.
Benghazi ‘bloodbath’
The clashes came just hours after dozens of protesters forced a brigade of former rebel fighters from their base in Benghazi on Friday evening.
The demonstrators had burned two vehicles belonging to the First Infantry Brigade, before moving on the barracks, said a Libyan army officer. The brigade was forced to abandon its headquarters as the protesters took it over.
