Car bomb explodes outside French embassy in Libya

PanARMENIAN.Net - A car bomb has exploded outside the French embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, wounding two French guards and causing major damage, according to BBC News.

The blast completely destroyed the embassy's reception area and parts of neighboring homes.

French President Francois Hollande called on Libya to act swiftly over this "unacceptable" attack.

It is the first major attack on a foreign embassy in the Libyan capital. The explosion happened shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT) Tuesday, April 23, in a smart, residential area of Tripoli.

One of the embassy's guards was severely wounded while the other suffered lighter injuries. Several residents were also slightly hurt.

The blast took place in a small side street and left a scene of devastation.

As well as extensive damage to the embassy's building and perimeter wall, two nearby homes were badly damaged and others affected, the windows of a shop were blown out and two parked cars were burnt out.

President Hollande said the attack had targeted "all countries in the international community engaged in the fight against terrorism".

"France expects the Libyan authorities to shed the fullest light on this unacceptable act, so that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice," he said.

France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius - who is on his way to Libya - said French officials would work closely with the Libyan authorities to find out who was responsible for what he called an "odious act".

Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz condemned the bombing as a "terrorist act", but did not speculate on who might be behind it.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.