Italy condemned on Sunday as "a vile act of terrorism" a gun attack on its consul to Benghazi in eastern Libya from which the diplomat escaped unscathed.

Italy condemned on Sunday as "a vile act of terrorism" a gun attack on its consul to Benghazi in eastern Libya from which the diplomat escaped unscathed.

"This was an attempt to destabilize the institutions of the new Libya," Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said in a statement after consul Guido De Sanctis's bullet-proof car came under fire on Saturday.
"He was unhurt thanks to the security precautions taken to protect him," Terzi said, referring to Sanctis.

The incident comes four months after US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the city in an attack on the US mission there.
The Libyan government "has guaranteed its maximum commitment to ensure those responsible for this vile act of terrorism face justice," Terzi said.

"Italy expresses its strongest condemnation and reaffirms its full support for the course of democracy and reforms of authorities in Tripoli."

The impact of the bullets was clearly visible on the windows of the car, which was shot at as the consul was returning home after work.
A security official in Benghazi said no one was injured in the attack.

The source added that "members of the supreme security committee deployed to the scene and escorted the consul to a safe location."
But he said no arrests had yet been made.