By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 31 January 2015:
The British Foreign Office is urging all UK nationals to leave Libya, citing the death of . . .[restrict]five foreigners among the ten murders at the Corinthia Hotel last week.
The British government has warned “Further attacks against foreigners are likely and could be opportunistic”.
The latest update to the UK’s Libya travel advisory comes after last week’s equally urgent warning from the State Department that all US citizens should depart the country.
“British nationals in Libya are strongly urged to leave immediately by commercial means” said the latest announcement, adding, “The British Embassy in Tripoli has temporarily closed and is currently unable to provide consular assistance”.
The alert said that there was now a significant terrorist threat from kidnapping, indiscriminate gunfire and bomb attacks.
“Violent clashes between armed groups are possible across the entire country, including in Tripoli, particularly at night. Fighting can break out anywhere without warning, quickly putting those in the area at risk”.
The Foreign Office noted that there are now limited commercial flights, of uncertain availability for foreigners wishing to leave. All airports were liable to attack.
Though land routes remained open, it warned that the security situation could change very quickly. Borders might be closed temporarily or there could be delays. The advice for Britons who insist on staying is that they avoid demonstrations or large gatherings.
“”If you become aware of any nearby violence you should leave the area immediately,” it counselled, “You should remain vigilant at all times. Keep a low profile and try to limit travelling around as much as possible, particularly at night. There is a high threat from crime”.
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