ISIS claims responsibility for Libyan election commission suicide bombing which killed 12

At least 12 people were killed and seven wounded as two suicide bombers have stormed Libya’s electoral commission in Tripoli. The attack claimed by Islamic State jihadists. The bloodshed comes as the international community pushes for elections it hopes will help calm the turmoil that has plagued the north African country since the 2011 ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The assailants attacked the electoral commission building, shooting guards and officials before blowing themselves up.

The interior minister Abdelsalam Ashour told a news conference on Wednesday, two policemen were among those killed. Eyewitnesses earlier said shots and at least two explosions were heard, while black smoke could be seen rising from the commission headquarters.

Isis issued a statement claiming the attack, which it said was in response to a call by its spokesman this month to target polling stations in the Middle East.

The United Nations mission in Libya condemned the assault and extended condolences to victims’ families.