Report: Christian Iraqi professor killed in Libyan central city

TRIPOLI, Libya – Libya's official news agency says that a slain Christian Iraqi professor was found inside his car in a central city.

The agency LANA reported that security forces found the body of Adison Karkha, a 54-year-old medical school professor, on Tuesday. They say he was killed on his way to work.

The agency added that motives behind the killing are unknown.

Libyan military officers say that hard-line Islamic militias including the extremist Ansar al-Shariah have stepped up their presence in recent months in Sirte, once the stronghold of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Christians appear to have been targeted in the past by radicals. Seven Egyptian Christians were found dead last month in the eastern city of Benghazi, where Ansar and other hard-liners groups are strong.