Car Bombings Kill 30 in Eastern Libya

Libya,February 20,2015-Libyan officials say at least 30 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in at least three car bombings in the country’s east.

The attacks occurred Friday in the town of Qubba, which is near Islamist strongholds but is controlled by Libya's internationally recognized government.

There were conflicting reports about where and precisely how many of the attacks took place.

Officials said one bomb went off at a gas station near a security building in Qubba. Other officials described a separate attack on the security facility.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

The country has seen escalating violence as fighters loyal to the Islamic State group attempt to gain more territory.

Libya is divided between militias and two parallel governments, leaving the country in a persistent state of instability following the 2011 ouster of leader Moammar Gadhafi. 

International concern was heightened earlier this week after Islamist fighters in Libya publicized the brutal beheading of 21 Egyptians. Cairo responded with airstrikes against militant targets on Monday.

Jordan circulated a draft U.N. Security Council resolution late Wednesday that would lift an arms embargo against the Libyan government, work toward halting the flow of weapons to militants and push for Libya's internationally recognized government to return to the capital in Tripoli.

Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Dairi on Wednesday stressed Libya is not asking for international military intervention.Libya has been under an arms embargo since 2011. The internationally recognized government now operating out of Tobruk has been able to petition a U.N. committee to ask that certain weapons sales be approved, but fears remain that weapons could end up in the hands of the many militant groups in Libya if the embargo is lifted.