Libya's hotel attack aims at Islamist-backed premier: Tripoli authority

Libya's Islamist-backed government on Tuesday claimed that the attack on Tripoli's hotel was targeting its Prime Minister Omar al-Hassi.

The self-proclaimed National Salvation Government said in a press release that some "suspicious men," after detonating a bomb in Corinthia Hotel's parking lot at around 10 a.m. local time, stormed into the building and headed towards al-Hassi's room.

The attackers, identified as loyalists to the former leader Muammar Gaddafi, threw grenades and poured fire on all guests in the hotel, but fortunately al-Hassi had been transferred to a safe place, the statement said.

Eight people, including four members of the security forces and four foreign hotel staff, died during the attack, according to the official LANA agency.

The statement is far different from media reports that the attackers were from Islamic State (IS) affiliates.

The IS offshoot in Libya's "Tripoli Province" earlier claimed the attack on its official social media webpage, saying it launched the attack because the hotel contained "non-Muslim diplomatic missions and security companies."

Some analysts said the Hassi-version of the incident might be trying to draw compassion, since his government is not internationally recognized by the international community.

Libya has been deadlocked in turmoil with two rival governments, one headed by the Islamist-backed Omar al-Hassi and another headed by the internationally-recognized secular Abdullah Thinni.

The armed forces loyal to the two sides respectivly have been engaged in intense battles since last May, leaving at least 1,000 people killed and more than 100,000 displaced. Endit