A man lights a fire to look at an underground prison in Benghazi. (file photo)<\/p>\n
Libyan security officials say that over 1,000 inmates have escaped from a prison near the eastern city of Benghazi in a stunning jailbreak.\n<\/p>\n
The incident occurred at the al-Kweifiya prison on Saturday.\n<\/p>\n
“There was a riot inside al-Kweifiya prison, as well as an attack from outside. More than 1,000 prisoners escaped. Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners,” said a security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.\n<\/p>\n
The official said most of the escapees were common law offenders, including several foreigners, but \u00c5\u201csome of them were detainees in cases linked to the former regime of Muammar Gaddafi\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
However, a security official at al-Kweifiya prison said that most of the escapees were facing serious charges.\n<\/p>\n
Mohammed Hejazi, a government security official in Benghazi, said that government forces recaptured 18 of the escapees, while some returned on their own.\n<\/p>\n
He added that three prisoners were injured in the jailbreak and were taken to hospital.\n<\/p>\n
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan confirmed the incident, saying, “Residents of the area carried out the attack because they don’t want the prison near their homes.”\n<\/p>\n
He added that border posts had been put on alert and given a list of names to arrest the escapees.\n<\/p>\n
Libyans rose up against Gaddafi\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s four-decade rule in February 2011 and deposed him in August 2011. He was slain on October 20 of the same year.\n<\/p>\n
Benghazi was the birthplace of the 2011 uprising. It is largely governed by militias in the absence of unified Libyan security and military forces.\n<\/p>\n
The former rebels refuse to lay down their arms, despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.\n<\/p>\n
Benghazi has been the scene of numerous attacks and assassinations over the past year as the power struggles between militiamen have intensified.\n<\/p>\n
GJH\/AS
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