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Libya violence: Benghazi district residents urged to leave Libya violence: Clashes at Benghazi port area
(about 1 hour later)
Libya's army has asked residents in a central district of the port city of Benghazi to leave before a major military operation against Islamists. Fierce fighting has erupted in the Libyan city of Benghazi, as the army attempts to retake the area from Islamist militias.
More than 200 people have been killed in Benghazi since the army began a new offensive to retake the city from Islamist militias last month. Smoke could be seen rising from Benghazi's port, where a ship was hit.
The campaign is led by former general Khalifa Haftar who is also reportedly backed by the army. The army had asked residents in the central al-Sabri district to evacuate the area by noon on Monday (10:00 GMT) ahead of a major military operation.
More than 200 people have been killed in Benghazi since the army began its offensive last month.
Libya has been in a state of flux since Colonel Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011.Libya has been in a state of flux since Colonel Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011.
The country is divided between two rival governments, with disparate tribes, militias and political factions fighting for power in the oil-rich country.The country is divided between two rival governments, with disparate tribes, militias and political factions fighting for power in the oil-rich country.
On Sunday an army spokesperson asked residents of the al-Sabri district to leave by noon on Monday (10:00 GMT). Heavy fighting broke out in the port area on Monday afternoon, with reports of tanks and artillery being deployed by the military.
Dozens of residents evacuated the city to avoid the fighting, Reuters news agency reported. Army spokesman Mohammed Hegazi told the Associated Press news agency that Islamist militias had hit an oil tanker with a rocket-propelled grenade, causing it to catch fire.
However, eyewitnesses said it was a navy ship that was hit amid the fighting.
Dozens of residents had left the city to avoid the fighting.
However, many residents have nowhere to go or are too afraid to cross to another area for fear of getting caught in the crossfire, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports from the capital Tripoli.However, many residents have nowhere to go or are too afraid to cross to another area for fear of getting caught in the crossfire, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports from the capital Tripoli.
On Monday afternoon, there were reports of clashes between the army and Islamist groups near Benghazi's seaport, with a navy ship hit amid the fighting, Reuters reported, citing local residents.
Residents in Benghazi told the BBC many homes had been destroyed from the violence in recent weeks.Residents in Benghazi told the BBC many homes had been destroyed from the violence in recent weeks.
Though pro-government forces now control several districts in the east and south of the city, the battle for Benghazi is not over yet, our correspondent says. Troops backing former general Khalifa Haftar are also supporting the military's efforts to retake the city.
Political crisisPolitical crisis
The internationally-recognised and newly-elected government has been forced to flee to the far-eastern city of Tobruk close to the Egyptian border, having been ousted from Tripoli after hostile militias took control of the capital in July. The internationally recognised and newly elected government has been forced to flee to the far-eastern city of Tobruk close to the Egyptian border, having been ousted from Tripoli after hostile militias took control of the capital in July.
Islamist groups including Ansar al-Sharia, which is listed by Western countries including the US as a terrorist organisation, have declared a caliphate in the coastal city of Derna.Islamist groups including Ansar al-Sharia, which is listed by Western countries including the US as a terrorist organisation, have declared a caliphate in the coastal city of Derna.
The elected government has lost Libya's three main cities amid the political crisis:The elected government has lost Libya's three main cities amid the political crisis: