45 killed in car bombing in Libya, IS claims responsibility

At least 45 people were killed when three car bombs exploded simultaneously at three places in the eastern Libyan city of Al-Gubba, security sources said, even as Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibily for the attacks.

The simultaneous blasts Friday targeted a security office building, a gas station, and the residence of Akila Saleh Issa, a parliament leader, killing at least 45 people, a security official said, Xinhua reported.

Five Egyptians were among killed, while the number of injured in the latest report is estimated to be in excess of 80, the source added.

The parliament speaker has been confirmed to have survived the blast as he was not at his residence when the bombs went off.

The Libyan branch of the IS Friday claimed responsibility for car bombings on its twitter account.

The city of Al-Gubba is under the control of the Libyan army and the forces of Maj Gen Khalifa Haftar.

These explosions came a few days after joint airstrikes by Libyan and Egyptian air forces against militant-held sites. The airstrikes were carried out after an online video was posted showing IS militants beheading 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages in the city of Sirte.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil. The country is now juggling between two rival parliaments and governments.