Clashes in Libya between Islamist militias, forces of renegade general kill 3 in Benghazi

FILE - In this Saturday, May 17, 2014 file photo, Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter addresses a press conference in Benghazi, Libya. In eastern Libya, a new round of battles appeared imminent after renegade Gen. Khalifa Hifter announced Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, in a late televised statement, a new offensive to "liberate" Benghazi, Libya's second largest city, "from terrorists." Benghazi has fallen into hands of Islamist extremist militias in the past few months. The militias overran army barracks and seized large amounts of weapons. Hifter's forces called for an "armed uprising" on Wednesday in Benghazi, urging youth to carry weapons and fight for their own neighborhoods. (AP Photo/Mohammed el-Shaiky, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 file photo, Libyan militias from towns throughout the country's west parade through Tripoli, Libya. The chaos unleashed by the Arab Spring has led to the rise of powerful militias across the Middle East, some allied with governments, others fighting to topple them and some -- like the Kurdish peshmerga in northern Iraq -- seen as vital Western allies. All could prove to be major obstacles to bringing peace or stability to the troubled region (AP Photo/Abdel Magid Al Fergany, File) (The Associated Press)

A fire truck drives towards smoke caused by an attack by Islamist militias during clashes with forces led by renegade Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. Islamist militias fought Wednesday with forces loyal to Hifter, who vows to seize the eastern city of Benghazi, as a top militia commander accused Egypt of bombing his positions with warplanes. (AP Photo/Mohammed el-Sheikhy) (The Associated Press)

A local Libyan commander says deadly clashes are underway between Islamist militias and forces loyal to a renegade general who has vowed to take control of the eastern city of Benghazi.

The militia commander says at least three people have been killed in the fighting so far. He says his militia took a military camp and tanks from Gen. Khalifa Hifter's forces after a suicide bomber blew himself at the camp gates.

A security official allied to Hifter denied the claim. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the fighting in Benghazi.

Hifter's forces are backed by armed residents.

Speaking on local TV late Tuesday, Hifter announced an "armed revolt" on Wednesday against the Islamist extremists who overran army barracks and claimed control over Benghazi earlier this year.