This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/24/britons-leave-benghazi-libya-foreign-office

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Britons should leave Benghazi immediately, says Foreign Office Britons should leave Benghazi immediately, says Foreign Office
(about 2 hours later)
British nationals have been urged by the Foreign Office to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately in response to a "specific and imminent threat to westerners".British nationals have been urged by the Foreign Office to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately in response to a "specific and imminent threat to westerners".
No details were given of the nature of the threat, which is likely to have been issued in response to intelligence information about the security situation in Libya's second city.No details were given of the nature of the threat, which is likely to have been issued in response to intelligence information about the security situation in Libya's second city.
In one possible sign of impending trouble, the border crossing to Egypt was closed to all but Egyptians two days ago in an apparent attempt to keep westerners out of eastern Libya. US drones have been deployed amid speculation about a possible attack by jihadists or an attack on them.In one possible sign of impending trouble, the border crossing to Egypt was closed to all but Egyptians two days ago in an apparent attempt to keep westerners out of eastern Libya. US drones have been deployed amid speculation about a possible attack by jihadists or an attack on them.
Benghazi was the scene last September of an attack on the US consulate in which the US ambassador to Libya was killed. Last summer the British ambassador escaped unharmed when a rocket propelled grenade was fired at his car.Benghazi was the scene last September of an attack on the US consulate in which the US ambassador to Libya was killed. Last summer the British ambassador escaped unharmed when a rocket propelled grenade was fired at his car.
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, told a congressional hearing on Wednesday that the Libyans had the "willingness but not [the] capacity" to provide security for diplomats in Benghazi. The 11 September attack was blamed on a jihadi-type group called Ansar al-Sharia.Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, told a congressional hearing on Wednesday that the Libyans had the "willingness but not [the] capacity" to provide security for diplomats in Benghazi. The 11 September attack was blamed on a jihadi-type group called Ansar al-Sharia.
David Cameron's national security adviser, Kim Darroch, was in the capital, Tripoli, on Wednesday for talks with the prime minister, Ali Zidan, on security collaboration. He also met the first deputy prime minister, Sadiq Abdulkarim. The talks also focused on security and how Britain could help Libya in the field.David Cameron's national security adviser, Kim Darroch, was in the capital, Tripoli, on Wednesday for talks with the prime minister, Ali Zidan, on security collaboration. He also met the first deputy prime minister, Sadiq Abdulkarim. The talks also focused on security and how Britain could help Libya in the field.
Since last September the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Benghazi and all areas of Libya with the exception of Tripoli, Zuwara, Az-Zawiya, al Khums, Zlitan and Misrata, and the coastal towns from Ras Lanuf to the Egyptian border.Since last September the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Benghazi and all areas of Libya with the exception of Tripoli, Zuwara, Az-Zawiya, al Khums, Zlitan and Misrata, and the coastal towns from Ras Lanuf to the Egyptian border.
Thursday's statement said: "We are now aware of a specific and imminent threat to westerners in Benghazi, and urge any British nationals who remain there against our advice to leave immediately. We have updated our travel advice to reflect this. The British embassy in Tripoli has been in contact with British nationals for whom we have contact details to alert them to the advice."Thursday's statement said: "We are now aware of a specific and imminent threat to westerners in Benghazi, and urge any British nationals who remain there against our advice to leave immediately. We have updated our travel advice to reflect this. The British embassy in Tripoli has been in contact with British nationals for whom we have contact details to alert them to the advice."
Libyan media said that Darroch had held talks with the Libyan interior minister, Ashour Shuwail, which also focused on British efforts to assist Libya in ensuring security.Libyan media said that Darroch had held talks with the Libyan interior minister, Ashour Shuwail, which also focused on British efforts to assist Libya in ensuring security.
Clinton made clear that the security situation in north Africa and the Middle East remained threatening in the wake of the upheavals of the Arab spring. She also warned that weapons from Libya had turned up in Algeria and elsewhere, adding that "this Pandora's box" represented a major security threat.Clinton made clear that the security situation in north Africa and the Middle East remained threatening in the wake of the upheavals of the Arab spring. She also warned that weapons from Libya had turned up in Algeria and elsewhere, adding that "this Pandora's box" represented a major security threat.
Adel Mansouri, principal of the International School of Benghazi, told the Associated Press that British and foreign nationals were warned two days ago about a possible threat to Westerners.
He said the school's teachers were given the option of leaving but decided to stay. The school has some 540 students. Most are Libyan with some 40% who hold dual nationality. Less than 5% are British, Mansouri said. Classes were not due to resume until Sunday because of a holiday on Thursday.
"We told the British ambassador we are staying, and we'll be in touch," said Mansouri, himself a dual national. "We don't see a threat on the ground."
Saleh Gawdat, a Benghazi lawmaker, told AP that French doctors who were working in Benghazi hospitals have left the city and that the French cultural centre has closed out of concerns about potential retaliation over the French-led military intervention in nearby Mali, which began two weeks ago.
British Airways said it would continue operating flights to the Libyan capital Tripoli. The airline operates three flights a week between London's Heathrow airport and Tripoli. Its next flight to Libya is scheduled for Sunday.