The Libyan military and the secular militia forces of Major General Khalifa Hafter conducted raids on the homes of Islamist militia leaders in Benghazi on Oct. 23, resulting in 29 deaths. An estimated 149 have died during fighting in the last week. According to one report, the Libyan Army met little resistance when it first entered the city on Oct. 22 and was welcomed by “cheers and applause by citizens in the al-Wahaishi and al-Salam neighborhoods.” Meanwhile, Libya’s newly appointed foreign minister has urged a diplomatic solution to the confrontation between Islamist militias and elected officials in Tripoli.
