ICRC halts work in Libya's Misrata

TRIPOLI - A compound of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in Misrata of Libya on Sunday came under attack by some unidentified gunmen and the organization was forced to suspend its work in this port city as well as in Benghazi.

A total of seven staff members were in the compound when it was attacked, according to the Geneva-based agency, which said considerable damage was caused to its building in Misrata.

The ICRC also condemned the attack which it said was carried out with heavy weapons including grenades and rockets, and stressed its noninvolvement in any political and religious affairs in the countries where they serve.

Ishfaq Muhamed Khan, the Head of the ICRC delegation in Libya, announced the suspension of the agency's work in Misrata as well as in the eastern city of Benghazi following the incident, which was the fifth of its kind in Libya in less than three months.

The ICRC delivered humanitarian services to the Libyan civilians during Libya's civil war which toppled long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.