Gunmen storm Tunisian consulate in Libya, kidnap 10 staff

Published time: June 12, 2015 14:39

An exterior view of the Tunisian embassy is seen in Tripoli (Reuters / Ismail Zitouny)

Ten people were kidnapped when gunmen stormed the Tunisian consulate in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Friday, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry described the incident as “a blatant attack on Tunisian national sovereignty and a flagrant violation of international laws and diplomatic norms,” Reuters reported.

Tunisia remains one of the few countries to maintain its mission in Tripoli, which is controlled by a government not recognized by the international community.

Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 civil war, which saw long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi, overthrown and assassinated by Western-backed rebels.

There are currently two governments fighting for power in the country, with the one considered legit by the UN stationed in Tobruk. Their rivals are holding out in Tripoli.