Car Bomb Explodes At French Embassy In Libya


Tripoli, Libya — A car bomb exploded at the French embassy in Libya on Tuesday, wounding two guards. The explosion brought new violence to the capital, who had not yet seen attacks against Western diplomats.

Tripoli, along with much of Libya, has been subject to significant violence since former regime leader Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power by Western-backed rebels.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius spoke in Paris before he left to see for himself the damage to the embassy in Libya. Fabius stated:

“This is an attack that targets not only France but all countries that fight against terrorist groups.”

One of the two guards injured in the blast required emergency surgery in Tripoli, according to Fabius. Security is being stepped up at all embassies in the region after the car bomb attack. France has worked to take a leading role in Libya.

The country has pushed for a NATO air campaign to defend the rebels against Gaddafi’s forces. France has also mounted its own assault on Mali, a former colony, against Islamist insurgents.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the car bomb attack, which caused extensive damage to the French embassy. However, al Qaeda’s north African arm, AQIM, previously promised retribution for the French intervention in Mali.

The car bomb attack in Tripoli was the first of its kind seen since the revolution in 2011. Officials stated that the car, laden with explosives, was detonated right outside the embassy building.

French President Francois Hollande stated on Tuesday in Paris, “France expects the Libyan authorities to shed the fullest light on this unacceptable act, so that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.”

Car bombs have been rare in Libya after the revolution ended. However, foreign diplomatic missions have come under attack before, most notably the US Consulate attack in September 2012 when US Ambassador Chris Stevens, along with three officials, were killed.

[Image via Abdul-Jawad Elhusuni (????????? ???????)]

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