The chief of staff of the Libyan army, Yousef al-Mangoush, has stepped down in the wake of clashes in Benghazi on 7 June which killed some 30 people.

His resignation was accepted by the General National Congress (GNC), Libya's national assembly, on 9 June.

The clashes in Benghazi occurred when protesters reportedly held a demonstration outside buildings controlled by the Libya Shield, a brigade made up of fighters who took part in the 2011 conflict, to demand that the militia disband.

Around 30 people were killed in the ensuing fighting, according to reports, with dozens wounded.

The status of the Libya Shield is contested; many residents in Benghazi see it as a standalone entity with no supervision from the army or the central government, while others consider it to have been officially integrated into the armed forces.

The issue highlights the wider challenge faced by the elected Libyan authorities in integrating groups that played a role in the 2011 conflict but which have since refused to hand in weapons.

Al-Mangoush, who is 62 and had previously held military roles during the Gaddafi era. was appointed as chief of staff in January 2012 by the National Transitional Council (NTC).