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Denmark tells citizens to leave Libya

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Denmark tells citizens to leave Libya
Smoke is seen billowing from an area near Tripoli's international airport during fighting between rival factions last week. Photo: Mahmud Turkia/Scanpix

Following measures taken by countries including Britain and the United States, the foreign ministry encourages all Danish citizens to immediately leave Libya amidst increased violence.

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Denmark's foreign ministry issued a warning on Monday for Danes to immediately leave Libya.
 
“The foreign ministry advises against all travel to all parts of Libya and Danes are encouraged to leave the country via commercial transport,” a warning issued on Monday afternoon read.
 
“There is a high risk of terror and kidnapping in Libya. There is a risk for civil unrest and armed clashes in, among other places, Tripoli,” the warning states. 
 
The foreign ministry advises Danes that Denmark has no official representation in Libya and says that those who need consular assistance should seek out the British Embassy. 
 
Denmark’s warning comes after countries including the US, Britain and Germany told their citizens to leave Libya over the weekend. Two weeks of fighting between militias in Libya's capital Tripoli have left 97 people dead.
 
The United States evacuated its Libyan embassy staff under air cover Saturday as they faced a "real risk" from fierce fighting around Tripoli airport, Secretary of State John Kerry said.
 
The airport was closed on July 13th following clashes between armed groups in the area.
   
Britain later updated its advice to warn against travel to Libya, and told those already there to leave.
 
"British nationals in Libya should leave now by commercial means." Britain's embassy will remain open but with reduced staff, and its ability to provide consular assistance "is very limited," the Foreign Office said.
 
The US announcement that it was evacuating its embassy came hours after Libya's interim government warned that the clashes between militia vying for control of the strategic airport were threatening to tear the country apart.

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