Foreign Ministry Following Up on Situation of Expats in Libya, Urges Help of Embassies in Neighboring Countries
The Foreign Ministry assured on Saturday that it is following up on the situation of the Lebanese expats in Libya, where deadly clashes are currently taking place between rival militias.
"We are following up with concern on the situation of the Lebanese community in Libya and we have contacted concerned authorities there and in neighboring countries, especially in Tunisia,” a statement issued by the foreign ministry said.
The statement said Lebanese embassies in neighboring African countries were instructed to follow up on the situation of the Lebanese community in Libya with care and attentiveness, particularly the situation of expats wanting to leave Libya.
"We call on Lebanese expats in Libya to take all precautions to safeguard their safety,” the ministry said, urging constant contact with the Lebanese embassy in Tripoli on the following numbers: 00218213615744 – 00218213615745.
The Tripoli clashes, the most violent since toppled Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's ouster, started with an assault on the airport by a coalition of groups, mainly Islamists, which has since been backed by fighters from third city Misrata.
The attackers are battling to flush out fellow former rebels from the hill town of Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, who have controlled the airport for the past three years.
Several countries have already evacuated their nationals and diplomatic staff from Libya, amid growing lawlessness and unrest. The latest countries to adopt such measures were the United States, the Philippines, Spain, Brazil, Greece, France, Britain, Egypt and Germany.
S.D.B.
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