11 Killed In Suicide Attack On Libya's Electoral Commission

A suicide attack on Libya’s electoral commission killed at least 11 people in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday, authorities in the violence-wracked country said, after witnesses reported thick smoke and gunfire.

The internationally backed Government of National Accord (GNA) said it was dealing with “the consequences of the cowardly suicide attack” after the health ministry put the toll at 11 dead and two wounded.

Eyewitnesses earlier said shots were heard and black smoke could be seen rising from the headquarters of the national election commission.

The United Nations mission in Libya condemned the “terrorist attack” and said it extended “its condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives”.

“Such terrorist attacks will not deter Libyans from moving forward in the process of consolidating national unity and building the state of law and institutions,” it said on Twitter.

The UN is hoping that Libya can hold elections this year as it seeks to leave behind years of chaos since the 2011 ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

While most recent attacks across Libya have been outside Tripoli, the capital remains mired by insecurity.

In January clashes between rival militias around the city’s only working international airport left some 20 people dead.

In 2015 the Islamic State group claimed an attack on Tripoli’s luxury Corinthia Hotel that killed nine people, including five foreigners.


(AFP)




Disclaimer: Stories culled and pictures posted on this blog will be given due credit and is not the fault of drifternews.blogspot.com if website culled from misrepresents source of story.