1st LD: IS claims responsibility for deadly car bombs in eastern Libya

The Libyan branch of the Islamic State (IS) on Friday claimed responsibility for car bombs killing at least 31 people in the eastern Libyan city of Al-Gubba.

At least 31 people, including five Egyptians, were killed and over 40 others were injured on Friday morning when three car bombs exploded simultaneously in Al-Gubba.

The simultaneous blasts targeted a local security building, a gas station, and residence of Akila Saleh Issa, the speaker of internationally recognized parliament, a security official said.

The Libyan branch of the Islamic State claimed responsibility by Twitter account for two car bombs near the local security building and residence of Akila Saleh Issa.

However, the account did not mention the third blast in the fuel station, where most of the victims were civilians.

The Twitter account also posted photographs of the attackers, as well as the time of the explosions.

The city of Al-Gubba, 30 km west of Derna, is under control of the Libyan army and forces loyal to Major General Khalifa Haftar.

The Libyan army and forces of General Haftar, along with armed civilian supporters, besiege the city of Derna, a stronghold of IS loyal militants.

These explosions came a few days after joint airstrikes by Libyan and Egyptian air force against militants' sites.

The air strikes were done after an online video was posted, showing Islamic State militants beheading 21 Egyptian Christian hostages in the city of Sirte.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

The country is now juggling between two rival parliaments and governments. Endit