Libya Gunmen 'Kill 15 Soldiers' Near Tripoli

Gunmen have attacked a military post southeast of Tripoli, killing 15 soldiers, according to Libya's official news agency.

A military official said the gunmen had used vehicles topped with machine guns to attack the post on the road between Tarhuna and Bani Walid.

Another five soldiers are reported to have been wounded.

The country has recently been hit by a wave of attacks targeting military officers, activists, judges and security agents.

Two years after Colonel Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in a civil war, Libya's fragile government is struggling to control rival militias competing for influence.

Clan and tribal rivalries, as well as Islamist groups, have flourished and the country's armed forces cannot fully maintain order.

Ali Sheikhi, a spokesman for the army joint chief of staff, said: "The ambush happened on the road between Bani Walid and the town of Tarhouna, where the army had a checkpoint. They came under heavy gunfire. Between 12 and 15 soldiers were killed."