Bomb explodes in Libyan church, kills two

Coptic Egyptian victims were preparing for New Year’s celebrations

30 December 2012, 10:21 pm Edit

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reported that an explosion at an Egyptian Coptic church in Libya’s third-largest city, Misrata, killed two people and wounded two others.

The statement by the Foreign Ministry said Sunday’s explosion killed two Egyptian citizens working at the church in preparation for traditional New Year’s Eve mass.

Egypt’s ambassador visited the church in the coastal city after the attack and urged Libyan security forces to ensure the property is guarded.

A Libyan security official said the deadly attack was caused by a bomb made out of an explosive material that typically requires a detonator. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the incident is still under investigation.

Tens of thousands of Egyptian workers have returned to work in Libya following last year’s civil war, despite security dangers.