Libya's state TV on Thursday stopped live broadcasting due to frequent attacks on its staff by the security battalion guarding the TV building, a TV official told Xinhua.

Earlier in the day, the TV staff went on an open strike, demanding the government to end the link with "rebels" guarding the TV building and replace them with regular security agents of the Interior Ministry or the army, said Mohamed Zintani, the director of Program Management of al-Watanyia TV.

The so-called "rebels" are mostly militiamen who participated in the toppling of the ex-regime of Muammar Gaddafi two years ago but were not included in the country's security system after the unrest.

Zintani said the TV staff have held a negotiation with the security battalion, with the two sides agreeing to ensure non- interference of any party in the conduct of the channel, programs and news.

The TV stops live shows now and broadcasts only archival programs.