Benghazi, 22 September:
Five members of the National Army were found executed in the Hawari district outside Benghazi this morning.
The men, who . . .[restrict]belonged to the Army’s First Infantry Battalion, were discovered with their hands tied and bullets to the head.
A sixth man, who was originally reported to have also been killed, is reportedly still alive, but in a critical condition.
At present nothing is known of the identity or the motive of the assailants, although the Supreme Security Committee have said that an investigation is now underway.
There has been speculation that the killings may have been a reprisal by militiamen attacked by anti-militia protesters the previous night.
Members of the Rafallah Al-Sahati brigade and the Ansar Al-Sharia brigade, both of which were driven out of their bases on Friday night, have claimed the attacks may have been instigated by members of the national army.
Unconfirmed reports have emerged that as many as 33 army officers and non-commissioned officers were arrested in connection with the incident.
Earlier today, officials said that the death toll following the unrest was six killed and 28 wounded.
Officials at Hawari hospital said they had received 12 cases, two dead and 10 wounded, whilst the Benghazi Medical Centre said it had received 22 cases, four dead and 18 wounded. [/restrict]
