Protesters demonstrate against the killing of lawyer and prominent Libyan political activist Abdessalem al-Mesmari on the streets of Benghazi, July 27, 2013. (Reuters)

(VOVworld) – A prominent Libyan political activist Abdessalem al-Mesmari was shot dead in the restive eastern city of Benghazi. A security official said on Friday that Mesmari, an anti-Islamist lawyer who has been campaigning for a civil state in Libya, was shot dead as he left a mosque and killed by a single bullet to the heart. Colonel Mohammed al-Hijazi also said two army officials and other policemen were killed in attacks in the city. In separate attacks, retired air force Colonel Salem al-Sarah was killed as he emerged from a mosque and police Colonel Khatab Abdelrahim al-Zwei was shot dead at the wheel of his car.

Benghazi, the second largest of Libya, has seen a number of bomb attacks and assassinations on officials who served under the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Other attacks are considered targeting the West by Muslim extremists, including an attempt to assassinate France's honorary Benghazi consul, Jean Dufriche on June 5. Last year, Muslim gunmen attacked US consulate, killing Ambassador Chris Steven and three other Americans.