The Libyan army is on a ‘state of alert’ in the eastern city of Benghazi after at least seven soldiers were killed by Salafists.

Colonel Abdullah al-Saiti, a military governor responsible for security in Benghazi, issued a decree on Monday urging all troops to report for duty at their barracks.

Benghazi residents have been ordered to stay at home.

Nearly two dozen people were wounded when gunfight broke out on Monday when Libyan soldiers came under fire while chasing a suspect into an area controlled by Salafist group Ansar al-Sharia.

“A violent clash has been taking place for several hours between our forces and an Ansar al-Sharia cell,” said Colonel Milud al-Zwei, the spokesman for Libya’s Special Forces. “The army retaliated, sparking clashes with all types of weapons.”

Ansar al-Sharia was blamed for the fatal attack on the US consulate in Benghazi a year ago. The US ambassador and three other Americans were killed in the incident.

Since 2011, Benghazi has been the scene of numerous attacks and political assassinations amid increasing power struggle among several militia groups that rebelled against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Libyan rebels refuse to lay down arms, despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.

Many countries have closed their consulates in Benghazi and some foreign airlines have stopped flying there.