BLAST HITS EGYPTIAN CONSULATE IN LIBYA

      Benghazi, Libya, 11 Shawwal 1434/18 August 2013 (MINA) – A small explosion has rocked the Egyptian consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Saturday, blowing out its windows and those of adjacent buildings.

     Security officials saying that the attackers threw a bomb from the vehicle into the Egyptian consulate, Aljazeera quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

     “Unknown assailants in a vehicle threw an explosive device at the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi without causing casualties,” said security spokesman Abdallah al-Zayedi.

    However, Reuters news agency reported that a security injuries requiring hospital treatment.

     The attack came as dozens of people protested outside the consulate against a deadly police crackdown Wednesday on supporters of Egypt’s ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

     The blast caused part of the outer wall of the building to collapse and many cars were also damaged in the blast.

     Police cordoned off the area and were collecting evidence.

     “The security services have a description of the vehicle and are pursuing it,” said Zayedi.

     The Libyan government said on Saturday it has adopted a policy of neutrality regarding the situation in neighbouring Egypt.

     “Libya believes that what is happening in Egypt is strictly an internal Egyptian affair in which the Libyan government will not interfere,” the government said.

     The statement said Tripoli supported moves to ensure consensus building, safety and security in Egypt.

     The Government also expressing “deep regret and pain for lost lives and bloodshed.

     Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, was ousted in a popularly-backed military coup in early July. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).