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A Royal Navy ship helping Britons to leave Libya amid worsening violence in the country is now at sea and heading to Malta, the MoD says.Navy helping Britons leave Libya
3 August 2014 Last updated at 12:04 ETRoyal Navy ship helping Britons to evacuate Libya
The BBC's Rana Jawad says the ship is a last minute option for those who haven't managed to leave the country yetA Royal Navy ship helping Britons to leave Libya amid worsening violence in the country is now at sea and heading to Malta, the Ministry of Defence says.It said HMS Enterprise was helping about 110 people but would not say when the ship was expected to reach Malta.
The Foreign Office had previously urged British people to leave the country immediately and is temporarily closing its embassy in the Libyan capital.
It said the majority of those leaving on the ship were British.
'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.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed the Royal Navy operation was 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.
About 110 people were registered to leave on board the ship - they are not thought to be diplomats.
Two Irish citizens and one German are also believed to be on board.
It is understood HMS Enterprise was moored just off the Libyan capital city of Tripoli and a smaller vessel had been dispatched to transport people from shore to deck.
Passengers have been given supplies for the journey.
HMS Enterprise commanding officer Mark Vartan said the crew was "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.
Rob Luke, the UK's High Commissioner in Malta, wrote on Twitter that his officials had been "reinforced" and were preparing to help the Britons arriving from Libya.
The ship's departure is not considered a rescue mission as there are still commercial means to leave Libya.A petrol depot was set on fire after fighting between rival groups near the airport in Tripoli
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.
More than 200 people have been killed in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi in the past two weeks.
'Very sad' It is thought there are between 100 and 300 Britons still in Libya.
The British embassy in Triploi is to suspend its operations on Monday, after which the remaining staff are to leave. It is relocating to neighbouring Tunisia for the time being.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said staff at the embassy are yet to leave as they have been supervising the evacuation of those Britons who want to leave.
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.British ambassador Michael Aron said the decision to leave had been taken "reluctantly"
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".
Timeline: Libya after GaddafiFebruary 2011: Arrest of human rights campaigner sparks protestsThere was chaos on Friday as thousands of people including foreign nationals tried to flee across the border into Tunisia, as Rana Jawad reports
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
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
November 2012: New government led by liberal figure Ali Zeidan sworn in
May 2013: Government offices besieged by militiamen
August 2013: Rebels begin months-long blockade of oil terminals
October 2013: PM Ali Zeidan briefly abducted by militiamen
November 2013: Libyan army clashes with Islamist fighters
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
June 2014: New parliament elected. Due to hold first meeting this month
Full timeline
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".
Most western countries have now withdrawn diplomats from Libya.
Are you a British citizen living in Libya? Are you planning to leave? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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Sunday, August 3, 2014
Royal Navy helping Britons leave Libya
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