Libyan soldiers killed in ambush of military checkpoint

Gunmen killed at least 15 Libyan soldiers in an attack on a checkpoint near the city of Bani Walid, a former stronghold of supporters of Muammar Gaddafi, the country's former leader, security officials said on Saturday.

The attackers rode vehicles topped with machine guns in the ambush, the military official said.

"The ambush happened on the road between Bani Walid and the town of Tarhouna, where the army had a checkpoint. They came under heavy gunfire," said Ali Sheikhi, a spokesman for the army joint chief of staff.

Two years after Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in a civil war, the North African country's fragile central government is struggling to control rival militias competing for influence in the aftermath of the conflict.

Army Capt. Hassan al-Saidah said five others were also wounded in the attack, which forced officials to close the main road to Bani Walid.

Officials did not say who might be responsible for the ambush. Clan and tribal rivalries have flourished in the absence of strong central government and Libya's armed forces cannot fully maintain order.

Al Jazeeera and wire services