TRIPOLI (AFP) - Security personnel sweeping an Italian diplomatic car about to enter the embassy compound in the Libyan capital on Tuesday discovered a bomb attached to its undercarriage, diplomatic and security officials said.

The car was immediately driven away to a safe area and a controlled explosion was carried out.

"Embassy security services discovered an improvised bomb attached beneath a vehicle during a routine search. The vehicle was taken away from the embassy by (Libyan) security services, who blew it up," a diplomat said on condition of anonymity.