Death toll in Benghazi violence rises to 79

The death toll from heavy clashes between Muslim Salafi militias and troops loyal to a rogue Libyan general in Benghazi has risen to 79, an official at the country's health ministry said on Sunday. More than 141 people have been injured in the violence, Xinhua reported. On Friday, the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar shelled many Muslim Salafi militant bases, including those of Ansar Al-Sharia and the February 17 Brigade. Haftar said the operation, dubbed ‘Dignity of Libya,’ was meant to purge Libya’s second largest city of terrorists. However, Libya’s interim authorities described Haftar’s move as a "coup".