Gunmen attacked Russia’s embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli Wednesday and tried to force their way into the compound, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Diplomatic sources in Libya said security guards fired shots to disperse dozens of people trying to enter the building, Reuters reported. No diplomats were wounded in the incident, though they were taken to the airport as a precaution.
“In Tripoli … a shooting occurred and there was an attempt to enter the territory of the Russian embassy in Libya,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told Russian state television.
One Libyan security source said the attack did not appear to be directly linked to any militant group, but rather the crowd were angered by rumors of a Russian woman killing a Libyan.
“The group attacked the compound as an act of revenge, because of the killing of the Libyan,” the source said, according to Reuters.
“An attempt was undertaken to get inside. The attackers opened fire and tore the Russian flag,” the Russian Itar Tass news agency reported, adding that the embassy territory was now fully under control.
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Sources said Libyan authorities were searching for the gunmen.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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