Ex-rebel chief in Benghazi ‘purge of terrorists’

A handout image released by the Syrian opposition's Shaam News Network shows smoke rising following shelling in the restive city of Homs on June 14, 2012. At least 52 people died in clashes and bombings across Syria on June 14, with activists calling for another day of protests as the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad enters its 16th month. AFP PHOTO/HO --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / SHAAM NEWS NETWORK" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - AFP IS USING PICTURES FROM ALTERNATIVE SOURCES AS IT WAS NOT AUTHORISED TO COVER THIS EVENT, THEREFORE IT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIGITAL ALTERATIONS TO THE PICTURE'S EDITORIAL CONTENT, DATE AND LOCATION WHICH CANNOT BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED ---

TRIPOLI. — Fierce clashes erupted in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi yesterday between Islamists and forces led by a retired general seeking to purge it of “terrorists”, an AFP journalist and witnesses said. The witnesses said a group led by Khalifa Haftar, a former rebel chief in the 2011 uprising that toppled strongman Muammar Gaddafi, was backed by warplanes that pounded barracks occupied by the Islamist “February 17 Brigade” militia.
Militiamen responded by opening up with anti-aircraft fire.

The two groups also clashed in the Sidi Fradj area of south Benghazi, the AFP journalist said.
Haftar’s group calls itself the “National Army” and a spokesman for the force, Mohammed Al-Hijazi, told a local broadcaster it has launched “a large-scale operation to flush terrorist groups out of Benghazi”.

However, the chief of staff of the regular army, Abdessalem Jadallah al-Salihin, denied the force was involved in clashes in Benghazi. — AFP.