Militants attack Libyan election commission, 12 killed

The site of suicide attack on Libyan electoral commission is seen in Tripoli, Libya, May 2, 2018 in this still picture obtained from social media video. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Libyan officials say an attack on the country’s electoral commission in the capital Tripoli has killed at least 12 people.

At least one of the attackers blew himself up inside while other militants stormed the building.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“[It] is a clear manifestation of everything that is wrong with the current shortsighted narrative of fake security and ‘progress,”’ said Hanan Salah of Human Rights Watch in a post on social media. Her group has underlined how elections will be difficult while Libya remains dominated by a patchwork of armed groups who continue extra-judicial killings, property confiscation, forced disappearances, arbitrary detention and torture.

Libya has been in chaos since longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled and killed in 2011. The country is now split between rival governments, each backed by an array of militias. An internationally recognized administration has been set up in the western capital of Tripoli.

The uncertainty in Libya has opened the door to terror groups such as IS to set up camps. | via Voice of America

Popular

PBBM to meet with Paraguay president on May 11 

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will hold a bilateral meeting with Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña Palacios in Manila next week, the Presidential...

PAGASA notes ‘danger-level’ heat index in 20 areas on Tuesday, monitors 2 LPAs outside PAR

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Twenty areas in the country are set to experience dangerous heat index levels, according to the 5:00 p.m. forecast of the...

PBBM leads inauguration of CALAX segment linking Cavite and Laguna

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet With the promise of enhancing connectivity where it truly matters, the government continues to double down on opening roadways that link...

PBBM orders prompt interventions amid Mayon unrest

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet After 52 villages in Camalig and Guinobatan towns, as well as Ligao City, were affected by heavy ashfall during a recent...