BENGHAZI, July 27: More than 1,000 inmates, mostly common law offenders, escaped during a prison riot and attack on Saturday in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi.

“There was a riot inside Al Kuifiya prison, as well as an attack from outside. More then 1,000 prisoners escaped. Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners,” a security official said.

Most of the escapees were common law detainees, including nationals of other African states. “But some of them were detainees in cases linked to the former regime of Moamer Qadhafi,” the official said.

Several were recaptured shortly after the breakout.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan confirmed the incident, without giving the number of fugitives.—AFP