By Moataz Ahmed.
Benghazi, 26 May 2014:
Some LD 1.5 million has been stolen from a bank security van in Sirte after four . . .[restrict]masked gunmen intercepted it en route to delivering a consignment of cash .
A local resident told the Libya Herald that the van was travelling from the Sirte’s Tijara and Tamnia Bank to make a deposit at the town’s Sahara Bank branch. He said a small security force detailed to the van had been overwhelmed by the attack.
The resident said a meeting of Sirte Local Council had been called to discuss bank security. He said it was likely that all banks in the town would be closed until safety of employees could be assured.
Amman bank has today said that it will no longer accept cash deposits at any branch across the country, excluding its main Tripoli branch. The bank said this was because, given the recent increase in bank robberies, only this branch had sufficient security staff to protect employes and customers.
It told customers it regretted the decision but asked them to be patient while the bank provided adequate escorts for security vans and better protection in their branches.
In April ten masked gunmen hijacked an Amman Bank security van in Tripoli, abducting two guards inside and making off with LD 6 million. [/restrict]
