Russian embassy in Libya attacked by gunmen in Tripoli

The unidentified attackers shot at the Tripoli compound and tried to force entry, officials said.

A BBC journalist at the scene said the situation has now calmed down, and embassy staff are thought to have escaped the building unharmed.

Officials said the attackers climbed the walls of the premises from three different directions.

Libyan security sources told news agencies that the incident did not appear to have been orchestrated by a militant group.

One source told Reuters that local people were angry because of the recent alleged killing of a Libyan by a Russian woman.

"The group attacked the compound as an act of revenge," the security source said.

Libya has been hit by many targeted killings of activists and security agents in recent months.

An attack last year on a US compound in the city of Benghazi killed four people, including the US ambassador.

In April, a car bomb outside the French embassy in Tripoli injured two French guards and a number of residents.

A car bomb was found outside the Italian embassy in June, while the UK withdrew some embassy staff in May over security concerns.

Labels: Conflict, Libya, Russia

posted by Pieface @ Thursday, October 03, 2013