Share

At least 65 killed at police training center in Libya

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which has been growing in power in Libya, has previously carried out many suicide bombings in the country.

Advertisement

The U.N. envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, is calling for Libyans to back the deal and unite against terrorism.

Witnesses have said residents were ferrying victims to Misrata hospitals in ambulances and cars, many with shrapnel wounds and some bodies too damaged to be identified.

Mogherini, who spent Friday in talks with senior Libyan officials, said European Union nations would offer Libya “technical and logistical” support for battling extremists, but no troops on the ground.

The authorities base was used by the border police in Libya, a Zliten security official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media.

Medical sources said 65 people had been killed, including some civilians.

“The United States continues to be deeply concerned about ISIL-inspired terrorists carrying out acts of violence, particularly in Libya”.

IS, which launched an offensive against Libya’s oil heartland this week, also said it was behind Thursday’s suicide bomb attack on a checkpoint in Ras Lanouf, home to a key oil terminal on the country’s northern coast.

None of the terrorist groups active in the region claimed responsibility for the attack.

In recent years, thousands of migrants seeking a better life in Europe sailed from Libya on rickety, overcrowded boats. Hundreds have drowned in those crossings.

Libya has been hit by instability since Gaddafi’s overthrow in 2011, and there is concern Islamic State (IS) militants are gaining a foothold there. They now control the city of Sirte and are targeting Tripoli and the country’s oil infrastructure, including the shelling this week of two major oil export terminals in the east.

The Council also urged Libyan parties to work swiftly towards the formation of the Government of National Accord “that will work for the benefit of all Libyans and the finalisation of interim security arrangements necessary for stabilizing Libya”.

Advertisement

In December, rival politicians signed a UN-brokered deal to form a unity government.

Truck bomb explodes at Libya police station, killing at least 60 officers