AhlulBayt News Agency

source : MEE
Wednesday

2 May 2018

11:41:48 AM
891749

Libya suicide blast kills election officials in attack on Tripoli offices

The attackers set the building ablaze, according to spokesman Khaled Amar, who fled with other staff following the attack. Reports said the gunmen then engaged security forces in a street battle.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - At least seven people have been reported killed on Wednesday as armed militants including at least one suicide bomber stormed the offices of the Libyan electoral commission in Tripoli.

The attackers set the building ablaze, according to spokesman Khaled Amar, who fled with other staff following the attack. Reports said the gunmen then engaged security forces in a street battle.

Images shared on social media showed pillars of thick smoke rising from the site.

The victims included three employees of the commission and four members of local security forces, said Amar.

"I saw two suicide bombers myself... they were shouting Allahu Akbar (God is greatest)," he said, adding that he had seen bombers' body parts strewn on the ground.

"A suicide bomber blew up himself inside the commission and the others set a part of the building on fire."

Security sources told the Libya Observer there were four gunmen.

The attack comes as the UN has put pressure on Libya to hold elections by the end of the year. UN envoys have repeatedly emphsised the need for elections this year.


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