Semi-autonomy declared by leaders in Eastern Libya

Civic leaders in eastern Libya have declared semi-autonomy for their oil-rich region at a meeting in Benghazi, the BBC informs.

They say the move is necessary as the region, once known as Cyrenaica, has been neglected for decades.

But the move has caused tension with the governing National Transitional Council in the capital Tripoli.

The declaration has no force in law but is a declaration of intent by the local leaders, the BBC's correpondent reports from Benghazi.