An extremist group pledging loyalty to the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a five-star hotel in Libya that led to at least nine deaths.

Nine people, including five foreigners, were killed Tuesday during an attack on a Tripoli hotel by a group calling itself Islamic State - Tripoli Province. The attack began at around 9am when three security guards were killed as a car bomb was detonated on the main street in front of the Corinthia Hotel.

Several heavily armed gunmen then gained entry to the luxury hotel and opened fire on fleeing guests. Forces loyal to the Libyan government arrived at the scene moments later.

According to reports, at least one assailant died after an explosion, but it is not known whether he detonated a suicide vest or a grenade.

A US citizen and a French national were among the five foreigners killed in the assault, one of the worst attacks targeting foreigners since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

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