Libya Clashes, Blast Kill 60

CAIRO (AP) -- A spokesman and a state news agency say clashes in Libya between pro-government forces and the Islamic State militants, as well as an explosion at an ammunition depot, have killed over 60 people in just one day.

Hospital spokesman Abdel-Aziz Essa says 36 militiamen loyal to the U.N.-backed unity government died and 140 were wounded in Tuesday's battles with Islamic state militants in the city of Sirte, the last IS bastion in Libya.

Essa, who is from the western city of Misrata that's home to the majority of the anti-IS militias, said Wednesday that most of the casualties came in direct gun battles with the militants.

Meanwhile, the state LANA news agency says the depot explosion took place near the capital, Tripoli, following clashes with militias and killed 29 civilians.

(KA)