Update 9 - New video, details - (Reuters video above was recorded before some details were clear)

At least nine people including guests were killed in a partial take-over of the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli by a number of terrorists today.

Those killed include French, American, South Korean and Filipino nationals.

The stand-off of some five hours ended when two assailants set off a grenade that killed them, officials said.

Bullet holes pepper a door at the Corinthia.Bullet holes pepper a door at the Corinthia.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a tweet said the government had been informed that the attack was over. He also said he will report about the attack in Parliament tomorrow, and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has also been briefed about intelligence available to the government.

Informed sources said intelligence reports indicated the terrorist action was not an attack intended against Malta or the Corinthia itself.

The raid on the popular central Tripoli hotel took place just after 9am when the terrorists set off a car bomb and stormed the lobby, killing five guards in a firefight. They are then believed to have held a number of hostages on the 20th floor of the hotel.

A spokesman for the Corinthia group said some guests had been killed but it was not yet known who and how many. Earlier the spokesman had said all guests were safe.

The spokesman said "today has been a traumatic and saddening day for all of our colleagues and guests at the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli in Libya. The loss of life is tragic and we grieve for those who were senselessly killed.

"The exact unfolding of today’s events has yet to be fully established. Our priority at all times today was to ensure the security of our colleagues and guests."

Omar Khadrawi, head of Tripoli security, told Reuters that when the attackers were completely surrounded by the security forces, one of them detonated a grenade, "but we don't know if it was deliberate".

The US State Department said the American casualty was a security contractor working for Virginia-based security firm Crucible LLC.

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Affiliates of Islamic State were said to have claimed responsibility in a tweet, saying they had occupied the hotel to kill diplomats.

However the Corinthia spokesman said no senior diplomats are known to have been staying at the hotel. 

The 'Isis' claim was also disputed by observers, who pointed out that the intended target may have been (Islamist-leaning) 'Prime Minister' Omar Hasi, who is not recognised by the international community. Some media outlets claimed he was in the hotel a short time before the attack - a claim which a Corinthia spokesman said was incorrect.

People on the scene said that between two and five terrorists wearing bullet proof vests stormed the hotel and were holed up in one of the top floors. Occasional gunfire was heard as security forces surrounded the complex.

Two of the terrorists seen in the hotel.Two of the terrorists seen in the hotel.

The Associated Press quoted a Libyan security official as saying the gunmen had taken hostages.

The Corinthia spokesman said he was unaware of any hostages.

A civilian who witnessed the attack told the BBC: "I suddenly heard shooting and saw people running towards me, and we all escaped from the back [of the hotel] through the garage underground. The hotel did a lockdown after that."

Other hotels were evacuated as a precaution.

IS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY, BUT OTHERS CAST DOUBTS

The tweet purportedly from IS called the attack The Raid of Abu Anas al-Libi, the suspected al Qaeda figure alleged to have helped plan the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. He died in hospital this month in New York ahead of his scheduled trial.

The media office of Libya Dawn, the 'government' which now controls Tripoli, accused pro-Dignity Operation loyalists of being behind the attack.

The Dignity Operation is allied to the internationally recognised government based in Tobruk.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a tweet said the government was closely monitoring the situation.

Speaking later in Brussels, Dr Muscat said the government and the Security Service were gathering all intelligence about what had taken place but it would be irresponsible to draw conclusions. It was not known who the terrorists represented and who their message was addressed to.

A spread of bullet holes in one of the top floors of the Corinthia Tripoli.A spread of bullet holes in one of the top floors of the Corinthia Tripoli.

“One should not rush into any conclusions,” he stressed.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil also referred to the attack and reports that Maltese personnel and guests were safe. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with them,' he said.

The Corinthia is one of Tripoli's top hotels and frequently hosts top diplomats and Libyan government officials.

EU CONDEMNS ATTACK

In a statement, the EU's High Representative for Foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, said the attack at the Corinthia Hotel was another reprehensible act of terrorism which dealt a blow to efforts to bring peace and stability to Libya.

"The EU expresses solidarity with the victims and their families. The EU strongly supports the efforts of the ongoing UN led talks to bring a political solution based on respect and dialogue," she said.

"Such attacks should not be allowed to undermine the political process."

PN CONDEMNATION

In a statement, the Nationalist Party condemned the attack on the Corinthia and expressed its solidarity with the victims and with the Corinthia Group.

"The attack on Malta’s doorstep and on Malta’s business interests in Libya is of huge concern. It exposes the fragility of the situation in Libya and serves to reinforce our strong stand against terrorism.

"Malta must stand firm in the face of these cowardly attacks and the Opposition is ready to back the Government to support action by the European Union and the international community to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist networks," the party said.

It urged the government to use all its diplomatic means to ensure the safe return of those Maltese nationals wishing to return to Malta and the provision of adequate protection by the Libyan authorities to Maltese interests in Libya.

 

AHMADIYYA MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTACK

The attack was also condemned by Malta's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which expressed solidarity with the victims and the Corinthia Group.

"We also pray for the safety and security of all the people there and for the Maltese workers and businessmen and the staff of the Corinthia Hotels. May God be their protector."

The community said they also hoped and prayed for the peace and security of Libya.

 

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