Lethal Attack Hits Libya’s Election Headquarters

At least seven people have been reported dead after armed men, including two suicide bombers, attacked Libya’s electoral commission headquarters.

The attack on Wednesday in the capital Tripoli took place as officials were registering voters before elections expected later this year, Aljazeera reported.

Khaled Omar, the election commission spokesman, told reporters that three election officials and four members of the security forces were killed.

Aljazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, quoted the city’s director for security as saying two suicide bombers detonated their explosives as security forces confronted them.

Witnesses claimed they saw armed men putting on their suicide vests and engaging security personnel in a firefight at the entrance of the election commission building.

The exchange of fire was followed by loud explosions inside the building. Reportedly security personnel are still counting the casualties and the number could be higher.

It has been speculated that the self-styled Islamic State terror group may be behind the attack.