IS Suicide Attack on Libya Election Commission Kills 12

Suicide bombers stormed Libya’s electoral commission in Tripoli on Wednesday, killing at least a dozen people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, Agence France-Presse reported.

The bloodshed comes as Libya prepares for elections later this year, seeking to recover from the turmoil that has plagued the North African country since the 2011 ouster of dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Two armed assailants attacked the electoral commission building on Wednesday morning, shooting guards and officials before blowing themselves up, Interior Minister Abdelsalam Ashour told a news conference.

The internationally backed Government of National Accord (GNA) said it was dealing with “the consequences of the cowardly suicide attack”, after the health ministry said at least 12 people were killed and seven wounded.

The interior ministry said two policemen were among those killed.

Security forces have since brought the situation under control, officials said, while the site has been sealed off.

Eyewitnesses earlier said shots and at least two explosions were heard, while black smoke could be seen rising from the commission headquarters.

The Islamic State group (IS) said it carried out the attack in a statement via its propaganda agency Amaq.

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 mov- ing 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 Kadhafi’s overthrow.

UN special envoy Ghassan Salame said in February he was aiming for parliamentary and presidential elections in the North African country by the end of 2018, but warned conditions were not yet ready for polling.