Libya arrests suspects linked to murder of official

The self-styled Libyan National Army has arrested a number of suspects accused of murdering an Abyar education official last week.

Last week, the head of the education office in Abyar, Salah Al-Qatrani, was shot by unknown gunmen in the town near the city of Benghazi. He was taken to the Al-Jalaa hospital in Benghazi but died from his injuries.

The motive behind the killing is unclear but Al-Qatrani was reportedly killed after announcing his intention to run in parliamentary elections this year.

According to Saiqa Special Forces spokesman, Milad Zwai, the arrests of the suspects were made after an inquiry by the Criminal Investigation Department which found that Al-Qatrani had reportedly received death threats when he made his election announcement.

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There have been plans to hold elections in Libya since last year with some calling for them to take place sooner rather than later in an effort to stabilise the country. However critics argue that elections will only exacerbate the fragile security situation, adding that reconciliation between warring parties is the best way to help Libya move forward.