16 people were killed and at least 19 others were injured in an attack on the Tripoli-based High National Elections Commission (HNEC) in Ghout Al-Shaal on Wednesday morning.

IS (also known as ISIS) terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack on their media platform “Wilayat Trabulus” and Reuters also cited Amaq (ISIS media platform) as claiming the terrorist attack.

The Director Manager of the HNEC, Saad Al-Gadibi, said the gunmen stormed into the building and killed a number of the security personnel in gun-to-gun clashes before two of them blew themselves up leaving the HNEC building ablaze.

Condemnations weighed in

Libya’s Fatwa House condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the victims, calling on the concerned authorities to take the needed measures to secure the capital and all of Libya against such crimes.

Presidential Council also condemned in a statement the suicide attack saying it would never let them down and make them stop the electoral track and the democratic privilege of all Libyans.

While the High Council of State denounced the attack on the HNEC, calling for the need to go for constitution referendum and end the transitional phase by uniting all Libyan state institutions.

House of Representatives (HoR) in eastern Libya also weighed in and condemned the “terrorists act” that establishes chaos and takes the lives of the innocent, adding that such crimes get in the way of democracy in the country.

Likewise, the UNSMIL condemned the attack calling “a terrorist act” offering condolences to the families of victims and to all Libyans, adding on Twitter that such attacks won’t affect Libyans’ will to have a state of law and national unity.

“Head of the UNSMIL Ghassan Salame contacted the Head of the HNEC, Emad Al-Sayeh and told him of the full support of the UN for the upcoming elections in Libya,” UNSMIL added.

Meanwhile, The British ambassador to Libya, Frank Baker also condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the HNEC in Tripoli, and so did the US and Canadian embassies to Libya on their Facebook pages.

“Canada condemns the suicide attack targeting Libyan electoral commission offices in Tripoli, which resulted in many casualties. Our condolences go out to the victims and their families of this horrible act of brutality. Canada stands with the people of Libya as they unite to achieve peace and reconciliation.” The Canadian embassy said.

“We offer condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for those injured. We stand with all Libyans in the fight against terrorism in their nation. The United States continues to support United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya Dr. Ghassan Salamé as he works to facilitate dialogue, improve governance and security, and to help Libyans prepare for credible and secure elections.” The US embassy remarked.

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