Tripoli, September 2 (RHC)-- At least ten soldiers have been killed in clashes between the army and militants in Libya’s northeastern city of Benghazi. Army spokesman General Miloud al-Zawi said more than 10 soldiers were also wounded in the fighting which took place on Monday.

Zawi added that armed militants were trying to advance on Benina, both a civilian airport and an air force base, in Benghazi. "The situation is now under control," he stated, noting that the army repelled the attack with the help of the air force.

In recent weeks, Libya has been witnessing increasing violence, the worst since the U.S.-NATO backed overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.

Rival militiamen, who refuse to lay down arms, are fighting for total rule over the North African country. Meanwhile, conflicting reports coming out of Libya indicate that the capital, Tripoli, has fallen to the Fajr (Dawn) Libya gunmen.

Libya’s caretaker government has announced that most ministries and state-run institutions are now out of its control. Attacks and looting have broken out across the city with the interior and electricity ministries and the prime minister's office ransacked.