World Bulletin / News Desk

Three people were killed in a suicide bombing that targeted a gathering of armed supporters of the army in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a military source said Friday.

"A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-packed vehicle on the road between Al-Lithi and Istiqlal districts, leaving two killed along with the bomber and 21 others wounded," military official Hamza al-Fakhri told.

"The bomber seemingly tried to target army personnel in Al-Lithi district where the army is besieging Islamist militias but had to detonate his package after he was stopped at a pro-army checkpoint," he added.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi regime in 2011. Rival militias have frequently clashed in Libya's main cities, including capital Tripoli and Benghazi.

Political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government in the country, each of which has its own institutions.

Vying for legislative authority are the internationally-backed House of Representatives, which convenes in the eastern city of Tobruk, and the Islamist-led General National Congress, which – even though its mandate has ended – continues to convene in Tripoli.

The two assemblies support two different governments headquartered in the two respective cities as well as two military entities.