Libyan Government Minister Shot Dead in Hometown

Libyan Deputy Industry Minister,  Hassan al-Darouei, has been shot dead in the first assassination of a transitional government official since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was ousted from power nearly three years ago.

The unknown men driving a car opened fire on the Minister killing him instantly while he was visting his hometown of Sirte.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening near a market in the Mediterranean city, some 450 kilometres east of the coastal capital Tripoli.

A Libyan defense ministry official who pleaded not to be mentioned confirmed the incident and said the minister's corpse has been deposited in a morgue.

Libya has been in political conflicts and crisis since the start of the popular uprising that ended Gadhafi's 42-year rule. The country is  plagued by violence,targeted killings  and political instability  stiffening  economic growth.