Fire erupts in US embassy in Libya's Tripoli: Reports

By Mustapha Dalaa

TRIPOLI, Libya

A fire broke out inside the U.S. embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli on Tuesday, according to local media reports.

Residents of the area said smoke could be seen billowing from the embassy building.

No further details have been provided.

Over the course of the last week, Tripoli has been the scene of deadly clashes between rival militias aligned with the country’s UN-backed unity government.

Libya has remained dogged by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of longstanding leader Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Since then, Libya’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily-armed militia groups.

By Mustapha Dalaa

TRIPOLI, Libya

A fire broke out inside the U.S. embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli on Tuesday, according to local media reports.

Residents of the area said smoke could be seen billowing from the embassy building.

No further details have been provided.

Over the course of the last week, Tripoli has been the scene of deadly clashes between rival militias aligned with the country’s UN-backed unity government.

Libya has remained dogged by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of longstanding leader Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Since then, Libya’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily-armed militia groups.