Libya’s head of police killed

Tripoli's head of police ‘assassinated’ by unknown gunmen, reportedly after refusing to leave his car 

Muhammed Suwasyi, Tripoli head of police
Muhammed Suwasyi, Tripoli head of police

Tripoli's head of police, Colonel Muhammed Suwasyi, has been killed by unknown gunmen after leaving a meeting in Tajoura, a suburb to the east of the Libyan capital. The National Directorate of Tripoli has called it an ‘assassination’.

Libya’s interior ministry said that two of Suwasyi’s collegaues have also been taken captive.

“On Col. Suwaysi’s way back from Tajoura, their vehicle was ambushed at a traffic light by two cars with armed men,” Interior ministry spokesman Rami Kaal said.

“Col Suwaysi refused to get out of the car, and the men shot at the car- he died of a bullet to the head,” Kaal said. “Two of Suwaysi’s colleagues complied with orders to leave the car and were kidnapped.” 

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing.

Hundreds of people are believed to have died in a recent spate of violence that has centred around the international airport in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi. Thousands more have been forced to flee Tripoli.

Violence between militias and government forces has gripped Libya since the 2011 civil war against Muammar Gaddafi. Despite the formation of a new constitution and the election of a Libyan government, armed militias control large parts of the country.