Libya’s national oil company HQs comes under attack

Unknown gunmen have attacked the headquarters of Libya’s national oil company in the capital, Tripoli, reportedly taking a number of people hostage.

Blasts and gunfire could be heard as a security force allied to Libya’s Tripoli-based government arrived at the building of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), located in the center of the capital, on Monday.

NOC chairman Mustafa Sanallah was safely evacuated, a witness told Reuters.

An NOC staffer, who said he had jumped out of a window to flee, told media that several armed men were shooting inside the building and several people had been shot.

No claim of responsibility was immediately made, as fire engines and ambulances arrived at the scene.

Wounded individuals were reportedly being streamed out of the building.

Last week, the internationally-recognized government of Tripoli announced a state of emergency in the capital and on its outskirts.

Libya has been witnessing clashes between rival armed groups for years.

SS