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Libyan activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari dies in Benghazi killings Libyan activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari dies in Benghazi killings
(about 4 hours later)
A prominent Libyan political activist and two senior security officials have been shot dead in the restive eastern city of Benghazi.A prominent Libyan political activist and two senior security officials have been shot dead in the restive eastern city of Benghazi.
Activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari was killed as he left a mosque after Friday prayers, officials said.Activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari was killed as he left a mosque after Friday prayers, officials said.
An air force colonel and a senior police officer were also killed in separate attacks. A retired air force colonel and a senior police officer were also killed in separate attacks.
Libya's government is struggling to control armed groups nearly two years after Muammar Gaddafi was toppled.Libya's government is struggling to control armed groups nearly two years after Muammar Gaddafi was toppled.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in the capital Tripoli says that although Benghazi has witnessed many targeted killings, Friday saw the first assassination of an activist.The BBC's Rana Jawad in the capital Tripoli says that although Benghazi has witnessed many targeted killings, Friday saw the first assassination of an activist.
Sniper suspectedSniper suspected
Mr Mismari, a lawyer, was one of the earliest organisers of protests that eventually led to the overthrow of dictator Col Muammar Gaddafi.Mr Mismari, a lawyer, was one of the earliest organisers of protests that eventually led to the overthrow of dictator Col Muammar Gaddafi.
He later became a critic of the armed groups that helped to topple Gaddafi but which have since refused to lay down their weapons.He later became a critic of the armed groups that helped to topple Gaddafi but which have since refused to lay down their weapons.
He has also opposed the presence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya.He has also opposed the presence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya.
"He was coming out of Friday prayers when he was shot," said Benghazi security spokesman Mohammed al-Hijazy."He was coming out of Friday prayers when he was shot," said Benghazi security spokesman Mohammed al-Hijazy.
"It seems it may have been the work of a sniper because he was shot in the heart.""It seems it may have been the work of a sniper because he was shot in the heart."
His colleague and friend Hannah Ghallal told the BBC Mr Mismari was "a hero and a man of principle who did what he preached". Fighting back tears, she added that his death was a loss for Libya.His colleague and friend Hannah Ghallal told the BBC Mr Mismari was "a hero and a man of principle who did what he preached". Fighting back tears, she added that his death was a loss for Libya.
A large crowd later gathered in central Benghazi to protest against the killing.A large crowd later gathered in central Benghazi to protest against the killing.
Our correspondent says Mr Mismari's death marks a potentially dangerous turning point. Some feel it is an attempt to silence civic groups, she adds.Our correspondent says Mr Mismari's death marks a potentially dangerous turning point. Some feel it is an attempt to silence civic groups, she adds.
In separate attacks on Friday, retired air force Colonel Salem al-Sarah was killed as he emerged from a mosque and police Colonel Khatab Abdelrahim al-Zwei was shot dead at the wheel of his car, officials said.In separate attacks on Friday, retired air force Colonel Salem al-Sarah was killed as he emerged from a mosque and police Colonel Khatab Abdelrahim al-Zwei was shot dead at the wheel of his car, officials said.
Benghazi has seen a number of violent incidents since the fall of Gaddafi, including an attack on the US consulate last September in which the US ambassador and three other US citizens were killed.Benghazi has seen a number of violent incidents since the fall of Gaddafi, including an attack on the US consulate last September in which the US ambassador and three other US citizens were killed.