Islamic State militants claim responsibility for suicide attacks in Libya

Militants claiming loyalty to the Islamic State have claimed responsibility for suicide attacks in Qubbah, Libya, which killed 40 persons.

The militants blew themselves up in cars laden with explosives in eastern Libya, in an attack retaliating for Egyptian air strikes on Islamist targets, Reuters report.

Three car bombs exploded in Qubbah, a small town near the seat of the official government in what appeared to be another higher profile attack by the group after the storming of the Corinthia Hotel in hotel and the beheading of 21 captive Egyptians.

Today’s bombs exploded shortly before prayers at a petrol station, the local security headquarters and the town council in Qubbah. Around 40 people were killed, among them three Egyptians, and 70 wounded, security officials and medics said.