A Dignity Operation warplane was shot down in Benghazi on Friday, the second one in less than a week.

The city's Shura Council claimed responsibility for the downing of the MiG 23 aircraft, saying it was brought down in Qaryounis district by an anti-aircraft missile.

Two pilots parachuted from the burning warplane, but their fate is still unknown, sources say.

Meanwhile, heavy clashes broke out between Shura Council fighters and Dignity Operation militants near the Tourist Village after the latter attempted to advance into the area in a bid to find and rescue the aircraft crew, but they were faced with heavy fire and retreated.

Early on Monday, a MiG 23 aircraft was downed in Derna, but its pilot managed to survive.