Tripoli, Libya: Libyan security officials say fierce fighting is underway in the country’s east between army troops believed to be loyal to a rogue general at the centre of recent coup rumours and two militias influential in the city of Benghazi.
The officials say military aircraft and helicopters, apparently under the command of Gen. Khalifa Hifter, have been flying over Benghazi since early Friday.
On the ground, Hifter’s troops have laid siege on the bases of two militias and are engaging in heavy clashes.
The militias are Rafallah Al Sahati, which is led by an Islamist commander, and a militia known as February 17.
It isn’t clear if Hifter’s forces are fighting without Tripoli’s approval.
