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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| British embassy in Libya to 'suspend operations' | British embassy in Libya to 'suspend operations' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK is to temporarily close its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, because of worsening violence. | The UK is to temporarily close its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, because of worsening violence. |
| The Foreign Office, which has urged Britons to leave the country immediately, said consular assistance would not be available from Monday. | The Foreign Office, which has urged Britons to leave the country immediately, said consular assistance would not be available from Monday. |
| Ambassador Michael Aron described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows". | Ambassador Michael Aron described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows". |
| Arrangements are being made to help British nationals leave Libya. | Arrangements are being made to help British nationals leave Libya. |
| The country has been gripped by instability and a power struggle among rival groups since the overthrow of former leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. | The country has been gripped by instability and a power struggle among rival groups since the overthrow of former leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. |
| More than 200 people have been killed in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi in the past two weeks. | More than 200 people have been killed in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi in the past two weeks. |
| Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the two cities on Friday to denounce militias who have been fighting Libyan armed forces. | Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the two cities on Friday to denounce militias who have been fighting Libyan armed forces. |
| The Foreign Office said a limited number of commercial flights were still leaving Libya but warned flight schedules could change without notice. | The Foreign Office said a limited number of commercial flights were still leaving Libya but warned flight schedules could change without notice. |
| On Wednesday, British Airways suspended flights to and from Tripoli up to and including 5 August because of the security situation at the country's main international airport. | On Wednesday, British Airways suspended flights to and from Tripoli up to and including 5 August because of the security situation at the country's main international airport. |
| The area has seen fighting throughout the past three weeks as rival militias - one established by the outgoing parliament and one controlled by the defence ministry - battle for control of the facility. | The area has seen fighting throughout the past three weeks as rival militias - one established by the outgoing parliament and one controlled by the defence ministry - battle for control of the facility. |
| One of the British embassy's compounds is in this area. | One of the British embassy's compounds is in this area. |
| Timeline: Libya after Gaddafi | Timeline: Libya after Gaddafi |
| February 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protests | February 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protests |
| March-August 2011: Rebels backed by Nato air attacks capture large parts of Libya | March-August 2011: Rebels backed by Nato air attacks capture large parts of Libya |
| October 2011: Col Gaddafi is captured and killed. The main opposition group, the National Transitional Council (NTC), declares Libya officially liberated | October 2011: Col Gaddafi is captured and killed. The main opposition group, the National Transitional Council (NTC), declares Libya officially liberated |
| January 2012: Clashes erupt between former rebel forces in Benghazi. Following months see continuing instability as rival militias battle for power and resources in both east and west Libya | January 2012: Clashes erupt between former rebel forces in Benghazi. Following months see continuing instability as rival militias battle for power and resources in both east and west Libya |
| September 2012: US ambassador is killed when armed men storm US consulate in Benghazi | September 2012: US ambassador is killed when armed men storm US consulate in Benghazi |
| November 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn in | November 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn in |
| May 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamen | May 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamen |
| August 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminals | August 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminals |
| October 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamen | October 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamen |
| November 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fighters | November 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fighters |
| February 2014: Protests break out after Libyan parliament refuses to disband itself after its mandate expires | February 2014: Protests break out after Libyan parliament refuses to disband itself after its mandate expires |
| March 2014: PM Ali Zeidan is sacked by parliament | March 2014: PM Ali Zeidan is sacked by parliament |
| June 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this month | June 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this month |
| Full timeline | Full timeline |
| Six days ago, the Foreign Office said Britons should leave Libya immediately because of growing instability and advised against all travel there. | Six days ago, the Foreign Office said Britons should leave Libya immediately because of growing instability and advised against all travel there. |
| On Friday, the Foreign Office repeated its advice for Britons to leave "due to the more intense and more widespread fighting in Tripoli, and greater instability throughout Libya". | On Friday, the Foreign Office repeated its advice for Britons to leave "due to the more intense and more widespread fighting in Tripoli, and greater instability throughout Libya". |
| Mr Aron tweeted: "Reluctantly we've decided we have to leave & temporarily suspend Embassy operations in #Libya. We will be back as soon as security allows." | |
| He added: "Fighting has spread to where we live in Suraj and the risk of getting caught in the crossfire is too great. Very sad." | He added: "Fighting has spread to where we live in Suraj and the risk of getting caught in the crossfire is too great. Very sad." |
| Mr Aron said a temporary office would be set up in Tunisia. | Mr Aron said a temporary office would be set up in Tunisia. |
| Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya. | Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya. |
| Are you in Libya? Have you been affected by the recent violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Libya? Have you been affected by the recent violence? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |