(VOVworld) – Al-Qaida-linked Muslim insurgents Ansar al-Sharia claimed its control over the entire city of Benghazi in eastern Libya on Wednesday, following 2 days fighting with the Libyan government army there. The Ansar al-Sharia made the announcement after the Muslim alliance “Shura Council” which includes Ansar Sharia rebels, took control of the biggest special forces’ base in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday. Ansar al Sharia is classified as a terrorist group by Washington after its 2012 attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi.

Amid escalating violence in Libya, more and more countries are evacuating their diplomats and citizens from Libya. French Foreign Minister Laurent announced a temporary close of the French Embassy in Libya on Wednesday while evacuating its citizens. On the same day, the Brazilian said its government had decided to move their embassy staff in Tripoli to the Tunisian capital of Tunis. Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the situation in Libya is very serious due to escalating clashes, calling on Chinese citizens to leave Libya immediately.