Ministry: 36 killed in fighting in eastern Libya

Libya's Health Ministry says fighting between troops loyal to a rogue general and two Islamist militias in the country's second-largest city has killed 36 people.

A statement today said 139 people were wounded in the fighting that broke out a day earlier in Benghazi when army troops under the command of Gen. Khalifa Hifter besieged the bases of the two militias. Military aircraft and helicopters under Hifter's command also flew over the city. The fighting halted today.

The central government criticised Hifter's attack, although many in the country were divided over the offensive.

Benghazi has been gripped by violence blamed on powerful militias who act outside of government control. Benghazi's airport was closed for the second day today because of the fighting.