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At least 12 people have been killed and several injured in an attack on Libya's electoral commission headquarters by the Islamic State group (IS).

At least one suicide bomber blew himself up while other armed assailants stormed the building in the capital, Tripoli, and set it on fire.

Voters have been registering for elections expected later this year.

IS offered no proof to back its claim of carrying out the attack - the first of its kind in recent years.

It is one of several militant groups active in Libya, which has been in constant turmoil since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011.

After his 42-year rule, the country was split between myriad rival armed groups, loyal to one of three governments.

Although many observers have questioned whether an election can be secured in the politically and militarily divided country, the international community appears hopeful that it would give the troubled North African state a fresh start.