Islamist Militia Takes Over US Embassy in Libya

The deserted U.S. Embassy in Libya and its residential compound has been taken over by an Islamist allied militia group, said the commander of the group Sunday.

The United States had evacuated its embassy personnel from Tripoli to Malta because of the escalation in violence between the militia groups near the embassy compound.

Moussa Abu-Zaqia, commander of the Dawn of Libya group, said that his men had been defending the residential compound since last week. He also said that another rival militia from Zintan had been occupying the compound before his group took control, reports Associated Press.

The residential compound is riddled with holes made by small-arms and rocket fire during the fighting between rival militias to control Tripoli.

A YouTube video posted by an amateur videographer shows the breach of the diplomatic facility. Several men are jam-lacked in a courtyard and some are seen diving in to a swimming pool from a nearby building, reports Reuters.

However, a senior State Department official said that the embassy compound remained secure.

He said that intruders had occupied the pool area of the residential annex, but  there was no sign of them at the embassy itself.

The occupation of the U.S. embassy by the militia group will probably revive discussions regarding its role in Libya, reports AP.

The U.S had supported the rebels who overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi three years ago.

Nearly two years ago, the U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Steven and three other Americans were killed in Libya in a terrorist attack.