Isis claims attacks on Libya

13 April 2015

Political leaders discuss conflict resolution in Algeria

  • Moroccan and South Korean embassies attacked
  • Two local security guards killed
  • Representatives from rival governments due to meet for peace talks in Algeria

Militants allied with the jihadist organisation the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) have claimed responsibility for attacks on foreign embassies in Libya’s capital.

On 12 April the Moroccan Embassy was bombed and the South Korean Embassy in Tripoli was attacked by gunmen.

The attacks were claimed using social media outlet Twitter and it has not been possible to verify the claims.

No one was hurt in the bombing of the Moroccan Embassy.

Two local security guards were killed in the attack on the South Korean Embassy.

Libya has seen increasing violence over recent months as its two rival governments have vied for control of the country’s territory and oil wealth.

Amid the chaos, the jihadist groups allied to Isis have seen rapid expansion, taking control of territory in towns including Sirte, Benghazi and Derna, as well as attacking targets in in the country’s capital, Tripoli.

On 13 April, representatives from both of Libya’s rival governments are meeting in Algeria for peace talks that are being mediated by the UN.

In a statement ahead of the talks the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said the dialogue process “aims to devise ways to end the political crisis and military conflict in the country”.

The UN is planning to bring together representatives from Libya’s influential tribes at a future meeting in Egypt.

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