Libya's military says it has killed key al-Qaeda militant
(dpa)
Benghazi – Libyan military forces killed a key al-Qaeda militant on Friday, a military official said.
Libyan Abdel-Moneim al-Hasnawy, also known as Abu Talha, was killed along with two other "terrorists" in a dawn operation in south-western Libya, Ahmed al-Mesmari, a spokesman for the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the LNA said its forces had started a massive operation to fight extremists in the south of Libya.
Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 armed revolt that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
Radical groups, including al-Qaeda and Islamic State, have taken advantage of the anarchy to establish a foothold in the oil-rich country.
Libya is split between two rival governments: one in the capital Tripoli and the other in the eastern city of Tobruk.
The LNA controls eastern Libya and its commander, General Khalifa Haftar, is allied with the eastern-based government and its parliament.
Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 armed revolt that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
Radical groups, including al-Qaeda and Islamic State, have taken advantage of the anarchy to establish a foothold in the oil-rich country.
Libya is split between two rival governments: one in the capital Tripoli and the other in the eastern city of Tobruk.
The LNA controls eastern Libya and its commander, General Khalifa Haftar, is allied with the eastern-based government and its parliament.