5 killed in suicide attack by IS in western Libya

Five people were killed and six others injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Libya's western city of Misrata, said a security source.

A suicide bomber driving a vehicle attacked Dafniya gate, (a major commercial entrance into Misrata), killing three people and injuring eight others, two of whom died later, a source from Misrata's joint military operation chamber told Xinhua, adding that the attack caused large damage to the gate.

An Islamic State (IS) affiliate claimed in Twitter account responsibility for the attack and identified the attacker as an Tunisian.

IS has claimed several similar attacks and executions of foreigners in the country.

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

The country is now deadlocked in a dogfight between the pro-secular army and Islamist militants, which has caused a security vacuum for homegrown extremism to brew. Endit