[Libya Observer] Updated at 1:55pm: The death toll from the attack rises to 16 and 19 wounded, the health ministry reportsIS claims responsibility
IS (also known as ISIS) terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack on their media platform “Wilayat Trabulus” and Reuters also cited Amaq (ISIS media platform) as claiming the terrorist attack.
The Director Manager of the HNEC, Saad Al-Gadibi, said the gunmen stormed into the building and killed a number of the security personnel in gun-to-gun clashes before two of them blew themselves up leaving the HNEC building ablaze.
Condemnations weighed in
Libya’s Fatwa House condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the victims, calling on the concerned authorities to take the needed measures to secure the capital and all of Libya against such crimes.
Presidential Council also condemned in a statement the suicide attack saying it would never let them down and make them stop the electoral track and the democratic privilege of all Libyans.
While the High Council of State denounced the attack on the HNEC, calling for the need to go for constitution referendum and end the transitional phase by uniting all Libyan state institutions.
House of Representatives (HoR) in eastern Libya also weighed in and condemned the “terrorists act” that establishes chaos and takes the lives of the innocent, adding that such crimes get in the way of democracy in the country.
Likewise, the UNSMIL condemned the attack calling “a terrorist act” offering condolences to the families of victims and to all Libyans, adding on Twitter that such attacks won’t affect Libyans’ will to have a state of law and national unity.