30 killed in car bombs in eastern Libya

At least 30 people were killed and 30 others injured on Friday when three car bombs exploded simultaneously in the eastern Libyan city of Al-Gubba, according to security sources and witnesses.

The simultaneous blasts targeted a local security building, a gas station, and residence of Akila Saleh Issa, a parliament leader, killing at least 30 people, a security official said.

The parliament speaker has been confirmed to have survived the blast as he was not at his residence when the bombs went off.

According to medical sources, a majority of the victims, most civilians, were killed or wounded at the fuel station. The sources added that they came to the station for refueling as the city is in the middle of a fuel shortage.

Meanwhile, witnesses said the triple explosions took place simultaneously, adding that the blasts were very loud and could be heard across the city.

The city of Al-Gubba is under the control of the Libyan army and forces loyal to Major General Khalifa Haftar.

These explosions came a few days after joint airstrikes by Libyan and Egyptian air force against militants' sites. The air strikes were done after an online video was posted, showing Islamic State militants beheading 21 Egyptian Christian hostages in the city of Sirte.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil. The country is now juggling between two rival parliaments and governments.