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.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/03/royal-navy-libya-rescue-uk-nationals-tripoli
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Royal Navy ship arrives in Tripoli to help evacuate Britons from Libya | Royal Navy ship arrives in Tripoli to help evacuate Britons from Libya |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| British nationals stranded in Libya amid fierce fighting are in the process of being evacuated from Tripoli to a Royal Navy ship in waters off the country's capital. | |
| The Ministry of Defence initially said it was unable to confirm reports that HMS Enterprise, a survey ship diverted from a routine deployment in the Mediterranean to Tripoli to collect about 100 British nationals, had sought assistance amid heavy battles near the city's airport. | |
| However, a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are currently carrying out an assisted departure. It is happening at the moment. The majority [of those being evacuated] are British." | However, a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are currently carrying out an assisted departure. It is happening at the moment. The majority [of those being evacuated] are British." |
| The MoD later released a statement from HMS Enterprise's commanding officer, Cdr Mark Varta, saying: "This is a period of uncertainty for UK citizens based in Libya but we have been proud to play our part in enabling their move 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." | |
| The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said: "I thank the crew of HMS Enterprise for their support and professionalism in carrying out this important task." | |
| It is believed that the 90-metre-long survey ship, which usually carries out work to update navigation charts, will deposit Britons fleeing to safety in Malta, just over 200 miles away. | |
| The Foreign Office's advice to Britons in Libya, updated on Sunday, says they are "strongly urged to leave immediately by commercial means" because of fighting around Tripoli and wider instability across the country. The advice says that some international flights are still leaving Misrata and Mitaga airports, to the west of Tripoli, while certain land crossings remain open, though both could change at short notice. | The Foreign Office's advice to Britons in Libya, updated on Sunday, says they are "strongly urged to leave immediately by commercial means" because of fighting around Tripoli and wider instability across the country. The advice says that some international flights are still leaving Misrata and Mitaga airports, to the west of Tripoli, while certain land crossings remain open, though both could change at short notice. |
| "The British embassy is arranging an assisted departure for British nationals. Places are limited and requests for travel will be strictly prioritised." | "The British embassy is arranging an assisted departure for British nationals. Places are limited and requests for travel will be strictly prioritised." |
| The embassy in Tripoli will suspend operations on Monday, the statement says, with registration for assisted exit closing at 6pm Libyan time on Sunday (5pm BST). Those seeking help are asked to call the Foreign Office. | The embassy in Tripoli will suspend operations on Monday, the statement says, with registration for assisted exit closing at 6pm Libyan time on Sunday (5pm BST). Those seeking help are asked to call the Foreign Office. |
| According to reports, HMS Enterprise was to moor off Tripoli with Britons brought on board by launches protected by Royal Marines. | According to reports, HMS Enterprise was to moor off Tripoli with Britons brought on board by launches protected by Royal Marines. |
| Earlier, an MoD statement said that while it could confirm UK nationals would get help leaving before the embassy shut on Monday, for "operational reasons" it could not give any details of how this would happen. | Earlier, an MoD statement said that while it could confirm UK nationals would get help leaving before the embassy shut on Monday, for "operational reasons" it could not give any details of how this would happen. |
| According to Libya's interim government, at least 22 people were killed on Saturday as militias fought for control of Tripoli's airport. | According to Libya's interim government, at least 22 people were killed on Saturday as militias fought for control of Tripoli's airport. |
| In a statement early on Sunday, it said heavily armed groups had shelled civilian targets. Similar fighting has claimed more than 200 lives in recent weeks. | |
| Libya is in the grip of its worst violence since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Islamist militias from the coastal city of Misrata led the assault on the airport, seeking to seize it from militias from the mountain town of Zintan. The fighters are mainly former rebels who toppled Gaddafi with the aid of Nato air strikes. | |
| As the fighting raged, many members of Libya's newly elected parliament met for the first time in Tobrouk, near the Egyptian border – a venue chosen by Abu Bakr Baiera, a prominent anti-Islamist politician. | |
| However, at the same time, Islamist militias overran several army bases and took control of the eastern city of Benghazi, the centre of the 2011 revolt. | However, at the same time, Islamist militias overran several army bases and took control of the eastern city of Benghazi, the centre of the 2011 revolt. |