Residents said there were no casualties from the explosion in the Libyan capital. A Reuters reporter said there were smashed windows and damaged doors.

In a statement to the news wire, an Eni spokesman played down the extent of the damage.

"Nobody wounded and no significant damage to the office buildings," the spokesman told Reuters in a text message.

Islamic State (Isis) militants claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Militants