Tripoli, 3 December 2013:
Tripoli Tower, the commercial hub of the capital, has reopened after a four-day ‘lock-down’ following a dispute between management and security.
Last week, the management turned off the water and lifts, after a rift with the building’s security personnel, leaving many offices – particularly those located on the upper floors, unable to operate fully.
A number of businesses were prevented from opening at all. The Air Malta office was closed, as was the British Airways office, although some services were still available out of its ticket office at Tripoli International Airport. Other operations, including the British Embassy, temporarily suspended services because, without the lifts, access to the upper floors was difficult.
Some businesses on the lower floors, including German airline Lufthansa, were able to continue operating as usual during the lock-down.
“Everything seemed normal today,” one regular visitor to Tripoli Tower told the Libya Herald. “There was the usual security in evidence and all the facilities were working.”
International office staff complained that they were kept in the dark over the exact reasons for the lock-down which, they said, occurred without warning or explanation. Others said they understood that dispute was provoked by management wanting to replace the existing security.
The Libya Herald has been told that some tenants are considering relocating elsewhere, because they do not believe that the issue between the management and the security staff has been resolved. [/restrict]
