[Libya Observer] At least three people were killed and more than twenty others maimed in an armed attack on the Libyan Foreign Ministry in Tripoli...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
on Tuesday.
Sources said three attackers stormed the building of the ministry in Zawit Dahmai district in the early hours of working time.
Eyewitnesses working near the ministry told The Libya Observer that sounds of sporadic gunshots were heard inside the ministry at around 10:00 am. Later a loud kaboom was heard and smoke started to billow from the building.
Security sources said two of the attackers blew themselves up in the ministry while the third one was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces who cordoned off the area.
The spokesperson of newly-formed Tripoli Protection Force Abdul-Rahman Mizighwi and Director of the Islamic Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry Ibrahim al-Shaieb were among the dead, the sources confirmed.
Radisson Blu Hotel, which is located a few meters away from the ministry, was evacuated for security fears.
The identity of the attackers is yet to be determined.
This is the third attack on state institutions in Tripoli this year. In May, a suicide kaboom struck the High National Elections Commission in Ghoat Shaal district. Four months later, ISIS-linked button men attacked the National Oil Corporation (NOC) on September 10.