The death has been announced of Mohammad Nabbous, described as the "face of citizen journalism in Libya".

Nabbous was apparently shot dead by Gaddafi forces in Benghazi on Saturday.

Known as "Mo", Nabbous set up Libya al-Hurra TV, which broadcast raw feeds and commentary from Benghazi, on Livestream.

Andy Carvin, social media strategist at NPR, said on Twitter: "Mohammad Nabbous was my primary contact in Libya, and the face of Libyan citizen journalism. And now he's dead, killed in a firefight."

Sharon Lynch, TV station representative, said: "He touched the hearts of many with his bravery and indomnitable spirit. He will be dearly missed and leaves behind his young wife and unborn child."

Al Jazeera online journalist Bilal Randeree said on Twitter: "Remember Mohammed Nabbous, known to all as Mo. His mission: to get the news about what's happening in Libya out to the world."

His death comes after the shooting of Al-Jazeera cameraman Ali Hassan Al Jaber in an ambush outside Benghazi earlier this week.

A Facebook group has been set up in commemoration of "the man who stayed up night by day to try and spread and get awareness of what's happening in Libya".