London, 12 September 2013:
The British government has strongly condemned yesterday’s bomb attack on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Benghazi,
In a statement issued today, the UK’s Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt, whose remit covers the Middle East and North Africa, said he was “shocked and deeply concerned” by the bombing in Benghazi and an attempted attack the same day on the Ministry’s building in Tripoli. “It is fortunate that fatalities were avoided and that the prompt action of security officials at the Ministry’s premises in Tripoli ensured that the explosive device could be defused before it could cause any harm,” he said.
“I deplore the attacks and reiterate my support for the efforts of the Government of Libya to protect itself and the Libyan people from those who wish to cause harm and insecurity,” he added.
The Benghazi explosion, which the Deputy Prime Minister Sidiq Abdelkarim who is also acting Interior Minister, has said was the act of terrorists, was “particularly grave” for the people of Benghazi, the British minister stated.
They “have had to endure significant security challenges in recent months”.
He said that the British Government expressed its solidarity “with the people of Benghazi, the city’s police and army, and all those across Libya who wish for a secure and prosperous future for the country”.
He stressed that the UK remained “committed to working with the Libyan Government and people to improve security for all Libyans and, more widely, to assist Libya in its ongoing transition to democracy”. [/restrict]
