Guards killed in former rebels’ attack on Libyan government HQ

Former Libyan rebels armed with anti-aircraft guns attacked the interim government’s headquarters in Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least two people and wounding many, an interior ministry official said.

“Between two to four guards were killed and many others are wounded,” the official said.

“Many men encircled the building and opened fire against it with weapons including anti-aircraft cannons,” a government employee present during the attack told AFP.

“Some men entered the premises and fired from inside,” he said, adding that chaotic scenes unfolded as people sought cover.

Several trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns surrounded the building in central Tripoli, blocking traffic, witnesses said.

Government spokesman Nasser al-Manaa said Defence Minister Osama Juili was negotiating with the fighters, who “came in protest over (unpaid) stipends.”

Last month, citing widespread fraud, Libyan authorities halted the payment of cash bonuses to rebels who had fought against Muammar Qaddafi’is regime in 2011.