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Britons urged to leave Libyan city of Benghazi over 'threat' | Britons urged to leave Libyan city of Benghazi over 'threat' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
British nationals should leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately "in response to a specific threat to Westerners", the Foreign Office says. | British nationals should leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately "in response to a specific threat to Westerners", the Foreign Office says. |
It said the British Embassy in Tripoli had been in contact with British nationals whose details it had. | It said the British Embassy in Tripoli had been in contact with British nationals whose details it had. |
It said it could not comment further on the nature of the threat, but said there was new travel advice for Libya. | It said it could not comment further on the nature of the threat, but said there was new travel advice for Libya. |
The Foreign Office has been advising against travel to Benghazi and most parts of Libya since September. | The Foreign Office has been advising against travel to Benghazi and most parts of Libya since September. |
In its updated travel advice, the Foreign Office said that after the recent French military intervention in Mali, there was the possibility of retaliatory attacks against Western interests in the region. | In its updated travel advice, the Foreign Office said that after the recent French military intervention in Mali, there was the possibility of retaliatory attacks against Western interests in the region. |
There is also the threat of kidnapping in Libya. | There is also the threat of kidnapping in Libya. |
A spokesman would not confirm how many Britons it had spoken to but said it was a "small number". | |
On 11 September, US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans died during an attack on the consulate in Benghazi. | On 11 September, US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans died during an attack on the consulate in Benghazi. |
Burning building | Burning building |
The ambassador died of smoke inhalation when he was trapped inside as the building burned, after armed men had attacked the compound. | The ambassador died of smoke inhalation when he was trapped inside as the building burned, after armed men had attacked the compound. |
Britain has not had a diplomatic presence in Benghazi since the attack. | |
Benghazi was the stronghold of the National Transitional Council, the rebel group whose revolt eventually ended Col Muammar Gaddafi's hold on power in Libya. | |
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified in hearings on Capitol Hill, during which she was questioned about the raid and said al-Qaeda was on the rise in the region. | On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified in hearings on Capitol Hill, during which she was questioned about the raid and said al-Qaeda was on the rise in the region. |
Last week, in neighbouring Algeria, militants took over a gas plant near In Amenas, taking hundreds hostage, possibly in revenge for events in Mali, where the French military have taken action against Islamist extremists. | |
It is thought 37 foreigners - including six UK nationals - died during the four-day siege, which ended after Algerian special forces stormed the compound. | It is thought 37 foreigners - including six UK nationals - died during the four-day siege, which ended after Algerian special forces stormed the compound. |