Benghazi, 1 February 2014:
Justice Minister Salah Marghani flew to Benghazi yesterday in a show of support for Special Forces Commander Wanis Bukhamada, whose son was kidnapped on Thursday.
Marghani assured Bukhamada of the government’s full support.
Ali Wanis Bukhmada was abducted outside Benghazi University by an armed group, believed to be one of three brigades in Benghazi affiliated to Ansar Al-Sharia.
The kidnapping sparked fighting in several areas of Benghazi on Thursday night, which left one member of the Special Forces dead and a further two injured. Yesterday, however, according to local residents only sporadic gunfire and helicopters could be heard.
Local media reported yesterday that the kidnappers had contacted Bukhamada demanding that Special Forces withdraw from a key checkpoint, but this was denied later in the day. He said he had not been contacted and urged the press to be more careful with how it reported on the case.
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