The security chief in the east Libyan city of Benghazi was assassinated late Tuesday morning in front of his house only weeks after he took over the position after the September 11 attack on the US Consulate that killed the US ambassador, Christopher Stevens and three other Amricans.

Colonel Fraj al-Drissi was hit by three bullets from the six fired by unknown gunmen who opened fire from a car, reportedly a Mitsubishi in front of his home. He died shortly after being taken to Benghazi medical centre from multiple gunshot wounds, police and interior ministry sources said.

He had occupied leading posts under the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, including anti-drugs chief, before joining the revolt against the former dictator when it started in February last year.

It is the 18th recent such killing in the eastern Libya city, mostly of police or army officers who served under Gaddafi, have been attributed to radical Islamists.