TRIPOLI

 Unknown militants blew up on Thursday an ancient mosque in Libyan capital Tripoli frequented by Sufi Muslims, eyewitnesses have said.

A loud explosion was heard near Al-Quds Mosque, which was empty at the time, eyewitnesses told The Anadolu Agency.

They said they explosion left no casualties, but the mosque was seriously damaged.

The assailants fled the scene following the blast, according to witnesses.

Authorities in Tripoli have yet to comment on Thursday's attack, for which no group has thus far claimed responsibility.

In the past, extremist Salafist groups – some of which consider Sufi practices to be idolatrous – have attacked mosques hosting Sufi shrines in Tripoli.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the decades-long rule of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.

Since then, the country's stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each with its own institutions and military capacities.

Vying for legislative authority are the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the Islamist-led General National Congress, which convenes in Tripoli.

The two assemblies support two rival governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.