Libya ammunition depot blast kills over 40
More than 40 people have been killed in an ammunition depot explosion in southern Libya, Reuters reported, citing a security official. The death toll could rise further, the source added.
The blast occurred Thursday in Brak al-Shati, near the city of
Sabha, as a group of 43 locals and African migrants were
reportedly trying to steal weapons. Other reports suggested they
were trying to steal copper.
The official said that the depot is still on fire and some people
might be trapped inside.
Meanwhile, four soldiers were killed in Benghazi as clashes
between the army and militant Islamists of the Ansar al-Sharia
group continue in the key port city. Three soldiers were killed
after they stopped a car loaded with weapons, explosives and
large amount of money, Wanis Bukhmada, commander of the security
forces in Benghazi, told a news conference.
Another serviceman was shot dead by an unknown gunman Thursday
morning.
In Benghazi, which has been plagued by an upsurge of violence in
the past few months, army officials publicly appealed to Islamist
militias Thursday to lay down their weapons.
"Brothers of the Ansar al-Sharia, you are Muslims and we are
Muslims. We don't differ on religion ... but don't impose
something which is not part of the religion," Salah Obeidi,
army commander of the eastern region, said at a news conference.
For more than two years, Libya has suffered from fragile security
and a breakdown in central authority, as the government struggles
to control numerous armed militias that overthrew the regime of
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi back in 2011.
