French embassy in Libya hit by 'car bomb' in Tripoli

A car bomb has exploded outside the French embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, officials are quoted as saying.

The blast is reported to have wounded two guards and badly damaged part of the embassy and surrounding buildings.

Source said the embassy's reception area had been completely destroyed as well as parts of neighbouring homes.

One official told Reuters news agency: "We think it was a booby-trapped car."

The explosion happened shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT) in a smart, residential area of Tripoli.

The blast took place in a small side street, causing extensive damage to the buildings and parked cars, correspondent said.

He added neighbours were upset and shaken up by the attack, and told they no longer wanted to live beside an embassy.
Source: BBC Posted by Unknown 4/23/2013