Car bomb hits Libya's Tripoli

A car bomb exploded in Libyan capital Tripoli on Monday, according to a security source.

"A car bomb exploded in central Tripoli in front of an oil company co-owned by Italy's ENI," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

He added that the explosion damaged a number of cars parked nearby, but no details are available about any casualty.

The source said that it is believed that the target was ENI oil company.

The ENI runs a 500-km gas pipeline from Libya's Mellitah gas complex to Italy, providing Italy with half of its gas supply.

The Islamist State (IS) affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack in a twitter account.

The extremist group is expanding in the country and has recently took over the city of Sirte, east of Tripoli.

The oil sector in Libya, the country's main source of income, has suffered drastically since oil fields were shot down in 2014 by protesters.

Libya has descended into a state of anarchy and insecurity since the fall and death of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The North African country is plagued with continuous violence and attacks. Endit