Attack on Libya prison in Tripoli frees 8

A top Libyan security official says gunmen attacked a prison in the capital Tripoli, breaking free eight prisoners in fighting that left another prisoner dead.

Libya's deputy Interior Minister Omar al-Khadrawi says the detainees had been awaiting trial for crimes committed in the past year. He says unknown assailants in a Land Cruiser opened fire on security personnel guarding the facility late yesterday in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to free some of the men inside.

Three policemen and two prisoners were wounded.

It was the third rebellion at Tripoli's al-Fornaj prison, where detainees complain they have been held for months without word of trial.

Since last year's revolution that ousted longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has struggled to restore security and rebuild its judicial system.

AP