Car bombing kills 7, injures 12 soldiers in Libya

At least seven Libyan soldiers have been killed and a dozen more injured in a car bombing in Libya’s second-largest city, Benghazi, amid a UN proposal aimed at ending violence in the country.

“A bomber blew up his explosives-laden car outside a military site [belonging to the Tobruk-based government] in al-Laithi district” south of the port city, the Anadolu Agency quoted Military commander Fadl al-Hasi as saying.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the Tuesday attack.

UN brokered peace talks

The incident followed on the heels of a six-point UN proposal aimed at ending such bloodshed in the country at meetings in Tripoli and Tobruk, where the two rival sides are based.

The proposals highlight the formation of a unity government headed by a president and a presidential council of independent figures, along with a parliament representative of all Libyans and a high state council.

“There is a chance that we can make progress and have the first names for a unity government this week,” said UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon.

The UN has been mediating between the warring sides of the Libyan conflict in a bid to end the months-long fighting that has rendered the country completely lawless and ungovernable. Several rounds of UN-backed talks have been held between the two sides since September.

Benghazi has been the scene of numerous attacks and political assassinations amidst an increasing power struggle among several militia groups who fought against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi during the 2011 uprising. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The National Congress, based in Tripoli, is deemed as having no mandate by the international community, while the Tobruk-based parliament remains the internationally recognized government.