Britain is temporarily pulling out some staff from its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli due to security concerns over recent political unrest, the Foreign Office said on Friday.Tensions have risen in Libya since ex-rebels besieged two ministries at the end of last month in a row over a law that would ban officials who served under slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi from holding office.
“Given the security implications of the ongoing political uncertainty, the British embassy is temporarily withdrawing a small number of staff, mainly those who work in support of government ministries which have been affected by recent developments,” a spokesman said.
“The embassy is open as usual, including for consular and visa services.”
British ambassador to Libya Michael Aron tweeted that “despite rumours the British embassy in Tripoli is open for business.”
But the British Council cultural agency said separately that it was closing its Libya office until next week for the same reason.
“Due to the uncertainty of the situation in Tripoli we will be closing to the public until and including Thursday 16 May 2013,” it said in a statement on its Facebook page.