Gunmen take over government buildings in Libya

Gunmen have taken over several government buildings in the northern coastal city of Sirte in Libya, the state news agency says.

According to the report, armed men stormed the state buildings, forcing employees to leave at gunpoint. The report did not give details of any clashes or injuries.

Among the buildings taken over by the gunmen were several administrative offices and local television and radio stations.

Libyan officials are yet to give more details on the report.

Several militant groups are present in Sirte, including the so-called Ansar al-Sharia.

Nearly three years after the fall of its former ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, in a popular uprising in 2011, Libya is still grappling with insecurity.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militant groups that refuse to lay down arms.

The militant groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics or get a share of the country’s vast energy resources.

Oil is the main source of revenue for the African country.