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BENGHAZI. — A bomb rocked the playground of a primary school in Benghazi during recess yesterday , wounding 12 children, hours after gunmen had rampaged through the streets of Libya’s restive second city. Witnesses said the bomb was thrown over the school wall while the children were playing.
Medics said two of the injured children were in serious condition.
Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammer Gaddafi, has seen near-daily attacks on security and other targets in recent months as the weak central government has tried to rein in former rebel brigades turned militias.
Six children suffering “light to moderate” injuries were admitted to the city’s Al-Jala hospital, spokeswoman Fadia al-Barghathi said.
Another medical official said six other children, two in serious condition, were taken to Benghazi medical centre.
A security official described the force of the explosion as “weak” and said a hunt was underway for those behind the attack, for which no one immediately claimed responsibility.
“Witnesses saw an individual throw an explosive device over the school wall during recess,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The attack came hours after a patrol of Libya’s Al-Saiqa special forces unit was attacked by unknown gunmen during the night in the centre of Benghazi, causing no injuries.
A security official said the assailants had then attacked a sit-in being staged by a group of anti-government protesters, torching their tents and cars.
The gunmen later attacked an Al-Saiqa checkpoint at Al-Jala hospital, sparking a firefight that left no injuries.
Three members of the special forces were killed in Benghazi last week in clashes with militia made up of former rebels.
The fighting erupted after the son of special forces commander in Benghazi Wanis Abu Khamada was kidnapped. — AFP.
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