Congo Brazzaville embassy in Paris petrol bombed

The embassy of the Republic of Congo in Paris, France, was petrol bombed by unidentified attackers in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Des criminels attaquent l'Ambassade du Congo à Paris et mettent le feu. ICIBrazza Maintenezlecap pic.twitter.com/kTJTG6RSO5

— Congo Souverain (@congosouverain) June 21, 2016

According to French website Jeune Afrique which quoted a Congolese diplomat, the attackers run their car into the front gate of the embassy at Paul Valery road in the 16th district of Paris.

“Inside the building, they threw petrol bombs at the reception sparking a small fire that did not reach the offices of the building. Before fleeing, they set their car on fire,” the diplomat told Jeune Afrique.

They added that there was no Congolese security available during the attack.

The French police are reported to have opened investigation into the matter as no one has yet claimed responsibility.

The Congolese embassy in Paris has been a target of attacks over the years. The latest was in October 2015 when a group of eight opposition supporters stormed the embassy causing damage to property in protest against the October referendum that allowed President Sassou Nguesso run for a third term in office.

Nguesso was later declared first round winner of the March 20 polls with 60.39 percent of the vote, strongly contested by the opposition.