Libya election helicopter shot down

Libya’s National Transitional Council said gunmen have shot down a helicopter carrying voting materials, killing an election commission worker.

The attack near the eastern city of Benghazi comes on the eve of Libya’s first national election since the toppling and killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi last year.

NTC spokesman Saleh Darhoub said the helicopter came under attack while flying over Benina airport on Benghazi’s outskirts.

He described the assailants as “enemies of the revolution” and said the attack will not stop the country from holding elections.

The attack comes a day after former rebel fighters from eastern Libya shut down three oil refineries to pressure the ruling council to cancel elections, citing an unfair distribution of seats among Libya’s regions.