The death toll from clashes in Benghazi has risen to 43 with more than 100 people wounded as a renegade retired general vowed to continue to fight Islamist militants in the eastern Libyan port.

Friday's violence prompted Libya's prime minister to order the military to control any armed groups in the city, where assassinations and bombings are common.

The latest fighting broke out between irregular Islamist militants and the military forces of the self-declared Libyan National Army, which is led by retired general Khalifa Haftar.