Foreigners leave Libya after threat warning
- 11 years ago
Foreign nationals living in Libya are heading to the airport after the UK warned of imminent danger.
Britain's Foreign Office urged citizens to leave the city of Benghazi, saying it was aware of a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners.
The warning follows a wave of violence targeting foreign diplomats, military and police.
In September, an attack on the U.S. consulate in the restive city killed four, including the ambassador.
A top Libyan lawmaker said that while any country has the right to warn its citizens of a perceived threat, he does not see an immediate danger.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY LEADER OF GENERAL PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE, JUMMA ATIGA, SAYING:
"Terrorism can strike anywhere in the world, even in countries like Britain who aren't immune to terrorism. But to have this announcement that hints at something that doesn't really exist on the ground is not justified enough in our opinion."
He also asserted that security measures have been put in place in Benghazi.
Few Westerners are believed to be in the eastern city that was at the centre of the country's 2011 revolution.
One local said the departure of diplomats "is a negative signal that shows how poor security is."
Western governments are on high alert following an Islamist militant attack in neighbouring Algeria this week and amid an ongoing international intervention against militants in Mali.
Britain's Foreign Office urged citizens to leave the city of Benghazi, saying it was aware of a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners.
The warning follows a wave of violence targeting foreign diplomats, military and police.
In September, an attack on the U.S. consulate in the restive city killed four, including the ambassador.
A top Libyan lawmaker said that while any country has the right to warn its citizens of a perceived threat, he does not see an immediate danger.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY LEADER OF GENERAL PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE, JUMMA ATIGA, SAYING:
"Terrorism can strike anywhere in the world, even in countries like Britain who aren't immune to terrorism. But to have this announcement that hints at something that doesn't really exist on the ground is not justified enough in our opinion."
He also asserted that security measures have been put in place in Benghazi.
Few Westerners are believed to be in the eastern city that was at the centre of the country's 2011 revolution.
One local said the departure of diplomats "is a negative signal that shows how poor security is."
Western governments are on high alert following an Islamist militant attack in neighbouring Algeria this week and amid an ongoing international intervention against militants in Mali.