This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23479913

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
More than 1000 inmates escape from Libyan jail More than 1000 inmates escape from Libyan jail
(35 minutes later)
More than 1,000 inmates have escaped from a jail in the troubled Libyan city of Benghazi. About 1,200 inmates have escaped from a jail in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi.
A security official from the jail told the AP news agency that most of the escapees were facing serious charges. A security official told the AP news agency that most of the escapees were facing serious charges.
Another report said a riot had taken place inside the al-Kwafiya prison.
The jailbreak comes a day after the assassination of a prominent political activist triggered protests in the city, although it is not clear whether the two are connected.
Benghazi is one of the most unstable parts of post-revolution Libya. Last year the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed there.Benghazi is one of the most unstable parts of post-revolution Libya. Last year the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed there.
It is not clear whether the jailbreak was part of ongoing political unrest in the city. 'Reinforcements'
Earlier protesters attacked offices linked to the Muslim Brotherhood following the assassination of the prominent political activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari.Earlier protesters attacked offices linked to the Muslim Brotherhood following the assassination of the prominent political activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari.
They stormed offices of the Justice and Construction Party, the Brotherhood's political wing. AFP news agency quoted a security official saying that some of the escapees were linked to the regime of Col Muammar Gaddafi. The former dictator was toppled in an uprising in August 2011.
A retired air-force colonel and a senior police officer were also shot dead on Friday in Benghazi, in the latest in a series of targeted killings of security personnel. "There was a riot inside al-Kwafiya prison, as well as an attack from outside," the official said.
Libya's government is struggling to control armed groups nearly two years after Col Muammar Gaddafi was toppled. "Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners."
AFP also quoted Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan saying local residents had set the inmates free because "they don't want the prison near their homes".