Intel chief shot dead in lawless east Libya: source

Image
AFP Benghazi
Last Updated : May 08 2014 | 9:51 PM IST
The head of general intelligence in eastern Libya was gunned down in the flashpoint city of Benghazi today, an intelligence source said.
Colonel Ibrahim al-Senussi Akila was shot dead near the Medical Centre in the city centre, the source told AFP.
"He was in his car when unknown assailants opened fire. He was hit twice, once in the neck."
Benghazi was the cradle of the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi and has since been plagued by violence that has killed dozens of members of the security forces, judges and foreigners.
Among them was the head of military intelligence in Benghazi, who was assassinated in December.
The government has been struggling to consolidate control in the vast and mostly desert country, which is effectively ruled by a patchwork of local militias and awash with heavy weapons looted from Kadhafi's arsenals.
In March, the authorities acknowledged for the first time the existence of "terrorist groups" in Libya, particularly in Benghazi and Derna, another eastern city.
Last Friday, jihadist gunmen from the Ansar al-Sharia brigade stormed police headquarters in Benghazi, sparking a firefight that killed at least nine soldiers and police.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 08 2014 | 9:51 PM IST

Next Story