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Attack on Russian post in Libya

October 2, 2013

Russia's diplomatic outpost in the Libyan capital Tripoli has come under attack, according to local media. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.

https://p.dw.com/p/19t46
A National Transitional Council fighter takes cover from incoming rocket attacks fired by forces of Moamer Kadhafi on the eastern front line of Sirte on October 2, 2011. Streams of civilians fled Moamer Kadhafi's besieged home town of Sirte as the international Red Cross warned of a medical emergency and the battle for the fugitive strongman's bastion raged. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Ahmad Al-Ruby/AFP/Getty Images

Unidentified gunmen launched an attack on the Russian embassy in Tripoli on Wednesday, according to Libyan news sources.

The motive behind the attack was not immediately clear.

Russia's foreign ministry confirmed that no personnel had been injured in the incident.

Initial reports provided different accounts of the series of events which had transpired.

News agency Reuters said the gunmen had attempted to enter the premises

"In Tripoli ...a shooting occurred and there was an attempt to enter the territory of the Russian embassy in Libya," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told Russian state television.

However, the DPA news agency described attackers as having fired at the embassy from outside and then fleeing.

There were no immediate comments available from Libyan officials.

The US consulate sustained a deadly attack on September 11, 2012 when gunmen - later identified as extremists linked to al Qaeda - stormed the compound. US ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed.

kms/lw (AP, Reuters, dpa)