French embassy attack in Libya

French President Francois Hollande has condemned an attack on the French embassy in Libya as an attack on "all the countries engaged in the fight against terrorism".

The Libyan Interior Minister Ashour Shuail has visited the site of this morning's blast as investigations begin into the cause of the explosion.

French officials have expressed concern about the stability of Libya as they believe that some rebel fighters from Mali may have settled in the country.

The French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says it was very fortunate that not more people were injured in this morning's bomb attack on the country's embassy in Tripoli, Libya.

"This attack could have been complete carnage, but two guards were injured, and they were injured gravely" Mr Fabius said.

"If this had happened a few minutes later when all the staff would have been there, this would have been a horrendous drama".

"This bombing was intended to kill but France will not bend" he continued.

Two security guards have been injured after an explosion outside the French embassy in Libya, reports Reuters.

A French embassy official told the news agency they believed the device was "a booby trapped car" and that "lots of damage" had been caused to the building.

Local residents say they heard two explosions early this morning.

The French Embassy in Tripoli has been attacked leaving two guards injured according to Reuters.

A French official has told Reuters that the attack appears to have been a car bomb.