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Royal Navy ship helping to evacuate Britons from Libya Royal Navy ship helping to evacuate Britons from Libya
(about 4 hours later)
A Royal Navy survey ship is evacuating Britons from Libya amid worsening violence in the country, the BBC understands. A Royal Navy survey ship is evacuating Britons from Libya amid worsening violence in the country.
People are being taken to HMS Enterprise as it awaits offshore. Just over 100 people are being taken to HMS Enterprise by boat as it awaits offshore.
The Foreign Office previously urged British people to leave the country immediately and is temporarily closing its embassy in the Libyan capital.The Foreign Office previously urged British people to leave the country immediately and is temporarily closing its embassy in the Libyan capital.
The MoD said the government was helping to "provide assisted departure for a number of UK nationals". A spokesman confirmed the FCO was "currently carrying out an assisted departure" operation.
'Hundreds of Britons' He said the majority of those being evacuated were British.
Some 108 people have registered to leave on board the ship. Not all of those registered are British - they are are said to include two Irish citizens and one German - and they are not thought to be diplomats. Supplies for journey
The Enterprise is expected to set off for Malta - once everyone arrives on board. Plymouth-based HMS Enterprise left the UK in June for an 18-month survey deployment and had been on operations in the Mediterranean.
Its departure is not considered a rescue mission as there are still commercial means to leave Libya. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed the Royal Navy operation was launched following FCO advice.
"I thank the crew of HMS Enterprise for their support and professionalism in carrying out this important task," he said.
Some 108 people registered to leave on board the ship - they are not thought to be diplomats.
Two Irish citizens and one German are believed to be among them.
It is understood HMS Enterprise is moored just off the Libyan capital city of Tripoli and a smaller vessel has been dispatched to transport people from shore to deck.
The ship is expected to set off for Malta when everyone arrives on board. Passengers are being given supplies for the journey.
HMS Enterprise commanding officer Mark Vartan said the crew was "proud" to play its part in helping to move people to safety.
"My ship's company have adapted to the challenge superbly, making as much space as possible and providing essential food, shelter and security for the journey," he said.
The ship's departure is not considered a rescue mission as there are still commercial means to 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.
Fighting between rival militias - one established by the outgoing parliament and one controlled by the defence ministry - has spread northwards in the capital in recent days.Fighting between rival militias - one established by the outgoing parliament and one controlled by the defence ministry - has spread northwards in the capital in recent days.
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.
'Very sad'
It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya.
The British embassy in Triploi is to suspend its operations on Monday, after which the remaining staff are to leave. It is relocating to neighbouring Tunisia for the time being.The British embassy in Triploi is to suspend its operations on Monday, after which the remaining staff are to leave. It is relocating to neighbouring Tunisia for the time being.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said: "I'm told the number of British nationals in the country is not huge - it is in the hundreds, rather than the thousands. Commercial routes to leave the country are still open. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said staff at the embassy are yet to leave as they have been supervising the evacuation of those Britons who want to leave.
"The Foreign Office has already announced that it will suspend the operations of its embassy in Tripoli after fighting in the capital intensified, including near the embassy building itself.
"But I'm told staff at the embassy are yet to leave - as they have been supervising the evacuation of those Britons who want to leave."
'Assisted departure'
British ambassador to Libya Michael Aron has described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows".British ambassador to Libya Michael Aron has described the situation as "very sad" and said staff would return to the embassy "as soon as security allows".
It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said: "As the FCO has made clear, the UK Government will provide assisted departure for a number of UK nationals before suspending consular operations on Monday.
"For operational reasons we will not discuss further details including whether, and in what ways, the MoD could support these efforts."
The Foreign Office has said a limited number of commercial flights are still leaving Libya but warned flight schedules could change without notice.The Foreign Office has said a limited number of commercial flights are 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.
Land routes also remain open but the Foreign Office said "the security situation can change very quickly".Land routes also remain open but the Foreign Office said "the security situation can change very quickly".
Timeline: Libya after GaddafiTimeline: Libya after Gaddafi
February 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protestsFebruary 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protests
March-August 2011: Rebels backed by Nato air attacks capture large parts of LibyaMarch-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 liberatedOctober 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 LibyaJanuary 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 BenghaziSeptember 2012: US ambassador is killed when armed men storm US consulate in Benghazi
November 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn inNovember 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn in
May 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamenMay 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamen
August 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminalsAugust 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminals
October 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamenOctober 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamen
November 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fightersNovember 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fighters
February 2014: Protests break out after Libyan parliament refuses to disband itself after its mandate expiresFebruary 2014: Protests break out after Libyan parliament refuses to disband itself after its mandate expires
March 2014: PM Ali Zeidan is sacked by parliamentMarch 2014: PM Ali Zeidan is sacked by parliament
June 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this monthJune 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this month
Full timelineFull 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".
Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya.Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya.
Mr Aron said a temporary office would be set up in Tunisia.
Are you a British citizen living in Libya? Are you planning to leave? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you a British citizen living in Libya? Are you planning to leave? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk