Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - At least 10 people died in the attack on Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli, committed by two (or maybe three, according to some sources) gunmen, yesterday, January 27th.
After setting off a car bomb in the parking lot of the hotel, where diplomats and foreign businessmen have met local dignitaries in the past, the militants rushed inside the hotel and opened fire killing security guards and some foreigners. After being surrounded by security forces, at least two militants detonated explosive belts they were wearing.
The attack was claimed by a group which is said to be affiliated to the "Islamic State", active between Syria and Iraq, the "Islamic State in the Province of Tripoli". In a statement, the group said the attack was in honour of Abu Anas al-Libi, an Al-Qaeda suspect who died in the United States earlier this month, days before facing a trial for bombing US embassies in 1998. Al-Libi, who was captured in Libya in October 2013 by US special forces, died of cancer in January in a US prison while he was awaiting trial.
Omar Khadrawi, head of the Central Security Directorate (the security service loyal to the government which has taken office in Tripoli), has instead accused a group that remained loyal to the deposed leader Gaddafi of being responsible for the assault on the Corinthia, denying the presence in Tripoli of groups loyal to the Islamic State. According to the Libyan press, at the time of the attack the Prime Minister of the government in Tripoli, Omar Al-Hassi was present in the hotel, who was unhurt. In Libya there are two governments (supported by two different parliaments) which are competing for power: in Tripoli and in Tobruk (in the east of the Country). The UN has initiated talks to form a government of national unity (see Fides 10/01/2015). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/01/2015)
