Jet bombs militant positions in Libya's Benghazi

Iran Press TV

Sun Jun 1, 2014 4:36PM GMT

Libyan officials say an air force jet has bombed militant-held positions in the eastern city of Benghazi, as part of an ongoing offensive by a renegade general.

A senior military official said on Sunday that the bombing targeted a base belonging to a local militia group called February 17 and the area of Sidi Faraj, where members of the so-called Ansar al-Sharia group are located.

No one was hurt in the bombing, a militant from Ansar al-Sharia said, claiming that one of two rockets fired by the plane hit a car dealership.

In a separate airstrike, aircraft targeted a palace in the western part of Benghazi, which is said to be used by militants.

The aircraft reportedly launched the attack on behalf of forces loyal to the former general Khalifa Haftar.

His forces carried out multiple airstrikes against a militia camp in Benghazi on May 28.

Haftar launched a military offensive in the country's east against militants on May 16, saying that he wants to crush them and establish stability in Libya.

Since the 2011 revolution that led to the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi, Benghazi has been the scene of numerous attacks and political assassinations amidst increasing power struggle among several militias who fought against Gaddafi during the uprising.

The former rebels refuse to lay down their arms despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.

Thousands of angry Libyan demonstrators have recently taken to the streets in different cities to protest against lack of security across the North African country.

MR/AB