Libyan militants seize two oil fields: Security official

Islamist militants seized control of at least two oil fields in central Libya, a spokesman for the country's oil industry security service said.

"Extremists took control of the Al-Bahi and Al-Mabrouk fields and are now heading to seize the Al-Dahra field following the retreat of the force guarding these sites, due to lack of ammunition," Colonel Ali al-Hassi said yesterday.

Violence and a slow-down at export terminals has already forced a shutdown at the Al-Bahi and Al-Mabrouk fields, about 500 kilometers east of Tripoli, for the last several weeks.

An attack on the sites in February killed 11 people and all staff were evacuated.

Libya has been awash with weapons since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Kadhafi, and opposing militias have since been battling for control of its cities and oil wealth.

It has two rival governments and parliaments -- those recognised by the international community sitting in the far east of the country and the others in the capital.

Earlier Tuesday, al-Hassi said that militia warplanes had attacked the major export terminal at Al-Sidra but were driven off without hitting their targets.

In response, planes from the internationally recognised air force struck Tripoli's militia-controlled Mitiga airport without causing any casualties, said the head of the internationally recognised government's air force.