Libyan warplanes raid Islamists in Benghazi

Led by renegade general Khalifa Haftar, Libyan warplanes targetted Islamist extremists in the eastern city of Benghazi.

The raids targeted Sidi Faraj and al-Qawarsheh in Benghazi and destroyed an ammunition warehouse belonging to the militias in the northeastern port city of Derna, an army spokesman said.

On May 16, Haftar launched an offensive in Libya's second city, Benghazi, aimed at eradicating militias that he called "terrorists". Fighting has since escalated and Libya has become increasingly divided.

The raid comes as Libya’s outgoing premier Abdullah al-Thinni travelled on Thursday to Benghazi, hit by heavy fighting between irregular forces and Islamists for the last three weeks.

The country currently has two prime ministers. Last month parliament voted into office Ahmed Maiteeq in an election disputed by some lawmakers and officials. Thinni has refused to hand over power until courts review the election process.

More than 100 people have been killed in almost daily clashes, sometimes involving helicopters or warplanes and hitting residential districts.

Universities have been mostly closed and many residents have been hiding indoors.

Public life in the port city, a base for oil firms, has largely come to a standstill since Haftar declared war on the Islamist militias, saying the government had failed to tackle them, Reuters reported.

Tripoli has denounced Haftar as trying to stage a coup. In the capital, several people were injured as opponents and supporters of the renegade general clashed in Martyrs' Square.

The country has been wracked by instability and violence since a NATO-backed revolt toppled and killed Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and the government has failed to control the armed groups that fought against him.

Several protests have been held in Martyr Square over the last weeks but Friday was the first time the rallies turned violent.

Meanwhile, Libya’s intelligence chief resigned on Thursday amid an intensifying power struggle between the Islamist-dominated parliament and a rival, interim government, the Associated Press reported.

Spy chief Salem al-Hassi submitted his resignation to parliament, according to lawmaker Mohammed al-Arisha, who did not elaborate.

Al-Wasat news portal said al-Hassi resigned because he was frustrated with parliament’s insistence on appointing a new prime minister, a move that added to the country’s crisis. Al-Hassi could not be reached to confirm the report.