7 dead, 20 injured in Benghazi attack

At least seven people lost their lives in car bomb attack in Benghazi, Libya news agency AFP reported on Friday.

Twenty people were also injured and were rushed to the nearest hospital.

A car exploded on a road near Tibesti hotel in Benghazi on late Thursday which was crowded more than usual as people were taking a stroll after their fasting in the month of Ramazan.

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According to reports, eight cars parked on the street were also destroyed along with some shops on the road.

Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, is controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA), the dominant force in eastern Libya led by commander Khalifa Haftar.

The LNA was battling Islamists, including some linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda, as well as other opponents until late last year in the Mediterranean port city.

Security has improved since then, but two mosque bombings earlier this year killed at least 35 people.

Haftar launched his military campaign in Benghazi in May 2014 in response to bombings and assassinations blamed on Islamist militants, part of anarchy that ensued after a NATO-backed uprising ended Muammar Gaddafi's rule in 2011.

In the past few months, there have been occasional, smaller- scale bombings apparently targeting LNA allies or supporters, but attacks in the city center are rare.

(With inputs from Reuters)