Gadhafi-era chief slain in Benghazi

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BENGHAZI, Libya, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Libyan official who worked for the internal security services in Benghazi during the rule of Moammar Gadhafi was discovered dead, a security leader said.

An unnamed official with the criminal investigations department in Benghazi was quoted by the Tripoli Post as saying Lt. Col. Nasser al-Magrabi was discovered dead on his farm in Banghazi.

"He was shot," the official added.

Magrabi had worked for Gadhafi's internal security services in Benghazi. The Tripoli Post described the western port city as the "cradle of the Libyan revolt," adding the number of related incidents has increased dramatically since late 2012.

Four policemen were killed in December in Benghazi. The city's police chief was assassinated in November and, last week, Abdelsalam al-Mahdawi, the interim head of criminal investigations in Benghazi, was kidnapped at gunpoint while he traveled to his office. The Tripoli Post last week said the kidnapping was likely a response to Mahdawi's action against Gadhafi loyalists.

On Sept. 11, 2012, U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three of his staff members died after the U.S. consulate in Benghazi came under attack. The U.S. State Department last week updated the travel advisory for Libya, warning of heightened security risks.