RNA – In a statement released by the Libyan Ansar al-Sharia military group on Saturday, the leader of the group has been confirmed dead.
The report comes following an official announcement by the group in October that the leader was mortally injured during clashes between pro-government forces and militants in the eastern city of Benghazi.
“We mourn the death of the Emir of Ansar al-Sharia Sheikh Mohamed al-Zehawi," the statement read.
"He was buried in Sirte (west of the city) after efforts to save his live failed because he had received a direct hit in the chest and was suffering from diabetes," a source told AFP.
Zehawi took part in the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed the dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Libya plunged into chaos following the uprising. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.
The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups, which refuse to lay down arms.
Battles among the rival militants, who had participated in the anti-Gaddafi uprising, are mainly over the control of oil facilities in eastern Libya.
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