Libya unrest: Militants capture key Benghazi army base as fighting intensifies

Militants in Libya have reportedly seized a key Benghazi army base of the Libyan army's special forces, following days of fighting.

According to Dawn, a militant alliance announced the capture of the main military base in the eastern city in a statement, which was confirmed by an army official.

The official said militants of the terrorist organization, Ansar al-Sharia, were among the groups that seized the Libyan army headquarters in Benghazi.

At least 60 people have been killed in the fighting in Benghazi in the past one-week.

The army official further said that special forces under the command of (Colonel) Wanis Abu Khamada withdrew after several attacks.

The seizure of the Benghazi army base is so far the biggest loss for the armed forces in its fight against the country's powerful militants.

Earlier, on Sunday, a rocket fired during clashes between rival militias battling for control of Tripoli international airport struck a tank containing more than six million litres of fuel, setting it ablaze.

The fire later spread to another fuel storage site nearby, triggering fears that it could spread still wider to a natural gas reservoir, where 90 million litres are stored.