Rocket Fire Kills Army Commander in Libya's Benghazi

Rocket fire Wednesday killed a commander and wounded five other soldiers of the armed forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government in the coastal city of Benghazi, a military source said.

Colonel Ali al-Themen was killed in the eastern district of Sidi Faraj as his forces advanced on positions held by "extremist groups", Nasser el-Hassi, spokesman for the Benina air base south of Benghazi, was quoted as saying by the Lana news agency.

The attack came a day after anti-government armed groups launched a barrage of 28 rockets at Benina, hitting nearby homes and causing dozens of civilian casualties, according to the army.

Medics said one person was killed and three wounded when rockets on Tuesday also struck two residential districts of Benghazi.

Pro-government forces have fought an array of armed factions notably Islamists, for control of Libya's second city for the past 18 months.

Libya descended into chaos after the October 2011 ouster and killing of longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi, with two governments vying for power and armed groups battling over its vast energy resources.