Isis militants claimed responsibility for bomb blasts which killed at least 16 people at the Libyan electoral commission yesterday.

Three suicide bombers carried out the attack, burning offices and clashing with security personnel before two blew themselves up, destroying the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) building in Tripoli.

HNEC chairman Emad Al-Saye said the “terrorist attack” would not stop Libya from holding elections and reassured voters that their personal data was safe.

The United Nations in Libya condemned the bombings in a statement: “Such terrorist attacks will not deter Libyans from moving forward in the process of consolidating national unity and building the state of law and institutions.”

Libya has descended into sectarian chaos since former leader Muammar Gadaffi was killed by Nato-backed rebels in 2011. 

Voters had been registering for elections expected to be held later this year.

Isis said it carried out the attacks in response to a call to target polling stations across the Middle East.