Explosion outside Libya's biggest hotel sparks panic

A car bomb exploded outside Libya's biggest hotel in the capital Tripoli Tuesday, where many foreigners stay, according to witnesses.

A witness said the bomb was detonated in Corinthia Hotel's parking lot, shaking the whole of Tripoli's central area. Smoke was rising from the site and people were rushing out of the building, Xinhua news agency reported.

Some witnesses said they saw militants exchange fire with security forces on the scene. The number of casualties was not immediately known.

Corinthia, one of the last operational hotels in Tripoli, once hosted many government branches, foreign embassies and staff of media and foreign enterprises.

Several embassies, including those of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have been targeted by militants in similar bomb attacks.