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Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) - Libya's army threw its weight behind an ex-general who launched a new assault Wednesday to retake second city Benghazi from Islamist militias who have seized control of large parts of the turmoil-gripped country.

The North African nation has been gripped by turmoil since the 2011 uprising against long-time leader Moamer Kadhafi, with the authorities struggling to control powerful militias that ousted and killed him.

Gunfire and explosions were heard in Benghazi, an AFP correspondent said, after Haftar announced he was ready to "liberate" the city.

Witnesses said tanks had launched an assault against an Islamist militia known as the "February 17 Martyrs Brigade," while warplanes carried out raids on the group, whose headquarters is located west of the city.

At least 12 people were killed and 10 others wounded, including three soldiers, and a man and his three children, officials said.

A spokesman for Haftar's forces said they captured the February 17 headquarters after several hours of fighting, but there was no way to independently verify the claim.

Later, the army announced it had thrown its weight behind Haftar, who launched a first, unsuccessful, campaign against the Islamists in May, dubbing it "Operation Dignity".

"The Libyan army claims 'Operation Dignity'" as one of its own campaigns, spokesman Colonel Ahmed al-Mesmari said, adding, "now it is one operation of the army, among others."

- Difficult days to come -

In a speech broadcast late Tuesday, Haftar warned: "The coming hours and days will be difficult."

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Libya ex-general in new assault on Islamist-held Benghazi