Libya security chief killed in clashes with gangs near Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya – Libyan security sources say an army chief of staff has died in clashes with gangs south of Tripoli, the latest official killed in the country's ongoing unrest.

Mohammed Karah died Sunday of a gunshot wound to the head, after participating in an offensive against gangs who had been stealing cars and blocking roads in the Rishfana area on the outskirts of Tripoli. Two others from the security forces were wounded.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief journalists.

Since the fall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in Libya's 2011 civil war, gunmen have killed low-level government employees, activists, clerics and security officials. In worsening security conditions, shootings of higher-ranking officials have become more common. Last week, the deputy minister of electricity was assassinated.