By Maha Suliman.
Benghazi, 10 November 2014:
The bombing in Shahat yesterday outside the town’s security directorate was a “terrorist . . .[restrict]act which targeted the meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy,” Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni has said.
In a statement released by the government, Thinni thanked God that there were no injuries and thanked security personnel, the police and the people of Shahat for their efforts in the aftermath of the attack to evacuate the blast area.
Two individuals are said to have now been arrested in connection with the attack. However, a senior security official in Shahat would not give details of the arrests.
A second bomb car bomb was discovered last night some 12 kilometrs south of Shahat outside Garndana prison. The security source in Shahat told the Libya Herald that the explosives were discovered after a tip-off from a local resident.
Members of the security forces and then bomb disposal experts rushed to the scene after the eye-witness reported having seen one man parking a Mercedes car in a strange place and then immediately being picked up by a second diver in a jeep. The pair were said to have driven away at speed.
The European Union’s new High Representative for Foreign Affairs has also condemned yesterday’s attacks as “heinous acts”. Federica Mogherini said the bombing could “only prevent Libya from reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict”. She added that they “undermine the dialogue process”.
It appears that prior to yesterday’s bombing, Thinni and UN Special Representative Bernardino Leon did make some headway in their talks before they had to be evacuated. Thinni said the two men discussed the ways in which all parties in Libya could reach a comprehensive solution and get to the negotiating table.
Follow Maha Suliman on Twitter: @Mahasye
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