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At least 31 killed in suicide attack in east Libya

A parliamentary spokesman said the attack was in retaliation for Egyptian airstrikes on IS targets
A parliamentary spokesman said the attack was in retaliation for Egyptian airstrikes on IS targets

Militants claiming affiliation to Islamic State have claimed responsibility for suicide attacks in the eastern Libyan city of Qubbah.

At least 31 people were killed and 70 others wounded in car bomb explosions in the city.

A parliamentary spokesman said the car bombs had targeted a petrol station next to a security building.

He said the bombs appeared to be a retaliation for Egyptian air strikes on Islamist targets in the eastern city of Derna, which is close to Qubbah.

A statement from "Islamic State, Cyrenaica province" said the militants "killed and wounded tens of people in revenge for the bloodshed of Muslims in the city of Derna".

On Monday, Egypt's air force bombed suspected Islamic State targets in Derna, a day after the group issued a video showing the execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian workers.

Libya is in chaos, with two governments and parliaments vying for legitimacy and territory, four years after Muammar Gaddafi was toppled.