Alwaght- A terrorist attack on Libya’s election commission headquarters in the capital left at least 12 dead on Wednesday.
According to reports, a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the building in central Tripoli, and other militants set fire to it, Health Ministry spokeswoman Wedad Abu Niran told reporters.
The ministry said in a statement that 12 people were killed and another two were wounded.
ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. Militant groups are opposed to democratic elections and have targeted them in other countries.
The UN mission to Libya condemned the attack, saying violence "will not deter Libyans from moving forward in the process of establishing national unity and the rule of law and institutions."
Earlier this week, the international Quartet trying to help bring order to Libya said it supports holding presidential and parliamentary elections this year, and will provide observers and electoral assistance to ensure the voting is free and fair.
In a joint statement following a meeting in Cairo on Monday, the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations said Libyans must commit in advance to respect and abide by the results and avoid violence or intimidation.
Libya plunged into chaos and political uncertainty in 2011, after US-led military alliance, NATO, intervened during a popular uprising that led to the ouster and death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.
The ensuing power vacuum swiftly led to the emergence of several competing seats of government -- including one in Tobruk and another in capital Tripoli -- and a plethora of heavily-armed militia groups.
