Libya: Death toll from Monday's violent clashes in Benghazi reaches 18

Benghazi, Libya (PANA) – The death toll from Monday's violent clashes between the Anshar Asharia armed group and a unit of the special armed forces, in the eastern city of Benghazi, has risen from 10 to 18 with 65 others now injured, local media reported.

The special forces of Saiqa urged residents in the district of Garyounes to relocate in two hours, seizing the opportunity of the shaky calm in the area.

The final secondary school examinations, planned for Monday in all the country’s regions, have been suspended in Benghazi because of the bad security situation.

On Sunday, military fighter jets, backing the operation conducted by Gen. Khalifa Hafter launched strikes against a camp in the 17 February unit, an Islamist militia and sites where Ansar Asharia groups are located.

The outgoing Libyan government has condemned those strikes, saying they were neither ordered by the Defence ministry nor the army chief of staff.

It called on those who launched the attacks to take up the responsibilities for their acts.

The former Libyan army general, Khalifa Haftar, who is conducting an operation “Battle for dignity”, aiming at eradicating terrorism, received support from the armed forces and a large number of Libyans.
-0- PANA BY/BEH/MSA/VAO 2June2014