At least 12 soldiers lost their lives when gunmen attacked a military checkpoint in Tripoli, the capital of Libya.

The attack which occurred near Bani Walid, a stronghold of supporters of former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, witnessed several others seriously injured.

It was gathered that the soldiers were ambushed by gunmen who drove vehicles equipped with machine guns, although those that perpetuated the attack are unknown yet.

The lack of central government control over large swathes of Libya has left room for armed groups linked to clans and Islamist militants to thrive, analysts say.