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| Royal Navy ship takes Britons from Libya to Malta | |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A Royal Navy ship helping Britons to leave Libya amid worsening violence in the country has arrived in Malta, according to the Foreign Office (FCO). | |
| HMS Enterprise helped 110 people, the majority of whom were British. None are understood to be diplomats. | |
| The FCO temporarily closed its embassy in the capital of Tripoli on Monday. It had urged Britons to leave the country. | |
| It comes amid fighting between rival factions in Libya, which has killed hundreds of people in recent weeks. | |
| 'Food and shelter' | 'Food and shelter' |
| The Plymouth-based ship left the UK in June for an 18-month survey deployment and had been on operations in the Mediterranean. | The Plymouth-based ship left the UK in June for an 18-month survey deployment and had been on operations in the Mediterranean. |
| Defence Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed the Royal Navy operation had been launched following Foreign Office advice. | |
| "I thank the crew of HMS Enterprise for their support and professionalism in carrying out this important task," he said. | "I thank the crew of HMS Enterprise for their support and professionalism in carrying out this important task," he said. |
| About 110 people were registered to leave on board the ship including two Irish citizens and one German. | |
| During the operation, it is understood HMS Enterprise moored just off Tripoli and a smaller vessel was dispatched to transport people from shore to deck. | |
| HMS Enterprise commanding officer Mark Vartan said the crew had been "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. | "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. |
| Rob Luke, the UK's High Commissioner in Malta, tweeted his thanks to his officials who had "worked through the night" to help those arriving from Libya. | |
| The ship's departure was not considered a rescue mission as there were 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' | 'Very sad' |
| It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya. | It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya. |
| The British embassy in Tripoli suspended its operations on Monday, after which the remaining staff were due to leave. It is relocating to neighbouring Tunisia. | |
| 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". |
| 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 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". |
| Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya. | Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya. |