Militants attack Libya’s foreign ministry in Tripoli

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI

At least three people were killed and nine others injured in a militant attack on the headquarters of Libya’s foreign ministry in central Tripoli on Tuesday, according to the health ministry.

Gunmen believed to belong to the Daesh terrorist group opened fire on the building before blowing up their explosives vests.

In statement, the ministry said three people were killed in the attack, without giving any further details.

A local security source said two ministry employees, including a Moroccan woman, were among the victims.

A foreign ministry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the casualties occurred as a result of suicide bombings inside the building.

Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Taher was not inside the building during the attack as he was accompanying Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj during a visit to the western city of Zawiya, the ministry source said.

Billows of smoke were seen rising from the ministry building following the attack, for which no group has yet claimed responsibility.

Libya has remained dogged by turmoil since when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Currently, two rival seats of power are vying for supremacy in Libya: an internationally recognized national unity government based in Tripoli, and a government supported by a legislative assembly based in the eastern city of Tobruk.