By Libya Herald staff
Tripoli, 30 November, 2013:
The British embassy has announced a temporary suspension of its operations in the Tripoli Tower, which the building’s managers kept closed today, because of a dispute with Zintani security guards.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the embassy apologised for the inconvenience the measure will cause. It added: “The UK Visa Application Centre is still open and accepting applications, which will be processed as soon as we are able to resume our operations”
Guards at the Tower, which is considered the capital’s commercial hub, were told on Tuesday that they would have to hand over their security duties to Ministry of Interior personnel.
The men, the majority of whom is former revolutionaries who have worn civilian clothes for their duties at the Tower, refused to quit. A public row with the building’s administrator ended with him being threatened and he shut down the building, in particular the lifts and water. There is still electric power.
Some office staff in the 24-storey building have been taking the stairs to their offices. [/restrict]
