A rocket that struck a residential building in the Libyan capital on Tuesday may have been aimed at a major hotel used by government officials and foreign businessmen, Interior Minister Mohammed Khalifa al-Sheikh said yesterday.

The rocket caused no injuries but damaged a balcony on the block near both the luxury Corinthia hotel and a tower housing several foreign embassies.

Armed groups have launched a series of attacks on foreign diplomats and buildings since strongman Muammar Gaddafi was toppled – France’s embassy in Tripoli was bombed in April.

The oil-rich country’s new government is struggling to contain both Islamist militants and heavily armed militias who took part in the 2011 revolution.

Area is used by officials and foreign businessmen

“It seems it was targeting the Corinthia hotel... an investigation is under way,” Sheikh told a news conference.

The hotel is used by foreign businessmen as well as government officials.

The blast occurred in mid-afternoon, when many offices have already emptied during the fasting month of Ramadan.

A security source said the rocket was launched from a car that burst into flames in the car park of a residential compound near the hotel and Tripoli Towers, which houses the British and Canadian embassies, as well as several foreign airlines and other companies.

In Benghazi, two people were injured when a police station was bombed earlier on Tuesday.

A security official said an improvised explosive device was planted inside the police station gate and three people were later arrested. The station has been targeted in similar attacks , the official said.

The east of Libya, and especially the city of Benghazi – the cradle of the anti-Gaddafi uprising – has became a particular focus of violence, mainly against security forces.

Residents say some of the assaults may be revenge attacks by former prisoners.

The US ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed in an attack in the eastern city of Benghazi on September 11 last year.