The Foreign Ministry in Seoul could not confirm the report.

Most of the embassy staff had been evacuated and just two or three employees, described as local staff by Yonhap, were in the building in the capital of Tripoli when about 30 people stormed the residence.

Yonhap, citing an unnamed source, said on Wednesday that no one was injured although the staff were threatened at gunpoint as televisions, other electronic goods and furniture were stolen.