Libya: Tripoli: gunmen storm Corinthia Hotel

Eight killed as gunmen storm luxury hotel in Libyan capital

Authorities say five foreigners and three guards dead in attack on Corinthia hotel claimed by Tripoli branch of Islamic State

 

Gunmen have stormed a luxury hotel in Libya’s capital, killing at least five foreigners and three guards, authorities said.

The attack, which included a car bombing, struck the Corinthia hotel – which sits along the Mediterranean sea. In a brief statement on Twitter, the Tripoli branch of Islamic State (Isis) claimed responsibility, the Site Intelligence monitoring group said.

Mahmoud Hamza, commander of the interior ministry’s Special Deterrent Force, told private satellite television station al-Nabaa that the situation was under control, though he could not confirm the whereabouts of the gunmen. He also said five foreigners were killed, without elaborating.

Another security official said earlier that gunmen killed three guards and took hostages, but had no further information on who the captives were. He also said that two commercial landmark towers behind the hotel were evacuated out of security concerns.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/27/libya-gunmen-kill-guards-take-hostages-luxuy-hotel-tripoli