BENGHAZI, Libya (AFP) - The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant group attacked a key oil facility in northern Libya on Monday (Jan 4) but were pushed back, an army official said.

The militants first launched a suicide car bomb attack on a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Al-Sidra near the Ras Lanouf oil facility, said Bashir Boudhfira, a colonel in the army loyal to the internationally recognised government.

The militants then clashed with troops guarding the facility but were repulsed, he said, adding that two soldiers had died.