Tunis: Libyan militiamen seized the Tunisian consulate in Tripoli on Friday and are holding 10 of its employees there, the Tunisian foreign ministry said.

A statement said the ministry denounced “the intrusion of an armed group in the offices of the Tunisian consulate in Tripoli and the detention of 10 staff of the mission.”

“All government services are following developments with interest in coordination with Libyan, regional and international parties, to liberate without delay the Tunisian mission team and guarantee its safety,” it added.

The ministry criticised what it said was “flagrant violation of Tunisia’s international sovereignty and international and diplomatic norms”.

Tunis did not say who had seized its consul staff in Tripoli, which is controlled by the Islamist-led Fajr Libya militia alliance.

Last month, a militia forming part of the coalition ruling Tripoli seized 245 Tunisians in the Libyan capital. All were later released unharmed.

Tunisia is one of only a few countries which still has a mission in Tripoli.

Tunisian authorities last month arrested Walid Kalib, a member of that rival group, Libya Dawn. On Thursday, a Tunisian court refused to release Kalib who faces kidnapping charges in Tunisia.

Libya Dawn, a loose alliance of former rebel brigades and Islamist-leaning groups, seized power in Tripoli last summer, expelling the internationally recognised government to the east.

Most countries closed their embassies during the fighting.

Relations between the North African neighbours have become increasingly tense, with Tunisia’s government worried about spillover from the chaos that continues to plague Libya four years after the overthrow of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, seven people were shot dead on Friday at a protest against Daesh in the eastern Libyan city of Derna, residents said.

The protesters marched after Friday prayers towards the militant group’s main base in Derna when gunmen from there opened fire into the crowd, several residents said, adding about 30 people were wounded.

Daesh and other Islamist groups have been fighting for control of the eastern coastal city.