A Libyan security force stands guard at the m
A Libyan security force stands guard at the mAFP/File

An apparent car bomb has exploded outside the French embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, wounding two French guards and causing major damage, the BBC reported Tuesday.

The blast completely destroyed the embassy's reception area and parts of neighboring homes.

French President Francois Hollande called on Libya to act swiftly over what he called an "unacceptable" attack.

He said the attack had targeted "all countries in the international community engaged in the fight against terrorism".

Diplomatic missions in Libya have been attacked in the past, but this is the first major attack on a foreign embassy in the capital.

An attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by armed terrorists on September, 11, 2012, killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other American officials.