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By Libya Herald reporter.
Tobruk, 22 September 2014:
People staying on the Greek passenger ferry Elyros moored at Torbuk which has been used . . .[restrict]for the fortnight as a floating hotel because of the lack of accommodation at Tobruk have been told they must leave tomorrow morning.
The 776-bed vessel, belonging to Anek lines and usually based in Crete, 360 kilometres due north, was charted at the beginning of the month to house members of the House of Representatives and their families while the HoR was based in the eastern town.
In the event, the HoR members refused to stay onboard because of concerns that the Libya public, facing water, electricity and other shortages and without security, would resent them staying in its relative luxury and ease.
Even so, a fortnight ago, the ferry’s crew said they would be in Tobruk for at least a month, possibly longer. In the event, the Libya Herald was told today by crew members that the contract with the House of Representatives had not been renewed and that the ship would be sailing from Tobruk the day after tomorrow.
Most of the floating hotel’s residents are, in fact, refugees from Tripoli, Benghazi and Derna, plus the occasional journalist and official visitor to the HoR. They will have to find accommodation in the town, which will not be easy because all the hotels are full. There are houses to rent but prices have shot up because of the demand.
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