(VOVworld) – At least three people were killed and five were injured in an attack Tuesday targeting Tripoli’s luxurious Corinthia Hotel which often receives government officials and foreign delegations.

Libyan security forces surround the Corinthia Hotel during the attack by gunmen linked to Islamic State. (Photo:AFP)

Several hostages might have been seized. Essam Naas, a spokesman for Tripoli’s security forces, said three security guards were killed by bomb blast before at least 3 gunmen stormed the hotel, fighting with security forces who were trying to evacuate guests. Security forces seized one attacker and surrounded the hotel.

 Citing social media, the SITE monitoring service said an IS group in western Libya had claimed responsibility. The group said the attack was in revenge for the death of Abu Anas al-Liby, a suspected al-Qaeda member accused of helping plan the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. Liby died in a New York hospital before his scheduled trial.