Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Islamist militias have again stepped up attacks on the Libyan Army.

Officials said militias linked to Al Qaida were increasingly targeting Libyan Army and security forces.

The officials said the militias were focusing attacks on the government presence in the eastern city of Benghazi.

“The terrorists want to drive the central government out of the entire eastern area,” a Western diplomatic source said.

On May 2, at least eight people were killed and 24 injured in a coordinated attack by Islamist militias on the National Security Directorate in Benghazi, deemed the capital of eastern Libya. The early-morning attack was said to have taken Libyan security forces by surprise.

Officials also reported an assassination attempt on a senior security officer. They identified the target as Abdullah Saiti, head of the Benghazi directorate.

Ansar Al Sharia, linked to Al Qaida, was said to have participated or directed the campaign against the Libyan military. Officials said Ansar and its allies were targeting army and security facilities with heavy gunfire
and suicide bombings. In December 2013, a suicide bomber killed 13 outside a Libyan Army camp near Benghazi.

NATO has sought to enhance the capabilities of Libya’s armed forces. But
the project has been hampered by a budget shortfall as well as infighting
within Libya’s government and military.

  Abdullah Saiti, Al Qaida militias in Benghazi renew attacks on Libyan government, Ansar Al Sharia, National Security Directorate