In comments today, the official would not identify those killed. The battle for control of Benghazi, Libya's second largest city, still rages. The troops, under the command of a renegade general, had largely fought from bases outside the city. On Oct. 15, the elected government joined forces with them and young fighters from the city, broadening the offensive.
A security official said government troops have entered a new neighborhood and also arrested a spokesman for the Islamist militias. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief reporters.
