BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP) - A Libyan police officer was killed and another wounded in fresh attacks late on Wednesday in Benghazi, another sign of the mounting violence in this eastern city, a security official told the Agence France-Presse.

"Unknown shooters gunned down a police officer and seriously wounded another during two separate attacks Wednesday evening in Benghazi," said Lieutenant-Colonel Ibrahim al-Charaa, spokesman for the city's security forces.

"The murderers... fled the scene after firing off a hail of bullets," he said explaining that the victim died of his wounds upon arriving at hospital.

In the other attack, he said the gunmen fired on a police officer who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, leaving him in critical condition.

Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 uprising that toppled Moamer Kadhafi, has been caught in spiralling violence since his fall.

Militants in the city have targeted judges, members of the security forces, local government officials and journalists in recent months.