(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Due to the ongoing violence resulting from clashes between Libyan militias in the immediate vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, the U.S. has "temporarily relocated" all of its personnel out of Libya, it was announced Saturday.
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said in a statement "we are committed to supporting the Libyan people during this challenging time, and are currently exploring options for a permanent return to Tripoli as soon as the security situation on the ground improves." She noted that "in the interim, staff will operate from Washington and other posts in the region." "Securing our facilities and ensuring the safety of our personnel are top Department priorities, and we did not make this decision lightly. Security has to come first," she stressed.
She affirmed "Regrettably, we had to take this step because the location of our embassy is in very close proximity to intense fighting and ongoing violence between armed Libyan factions." She added "this relocation was done over land, with our personnel arriving in Tunisia this morning, and traveling onward from there." "We are grateful to the Government of Tunisia for its cooperation and support," she remarked.
She said "we will continue to engage all Libyans and the international community to seek a peaceful resolution to the current conflict and to advance Libya's democratic transition." She reiterated that Libyans "must immediately cease hostilities and begin negotiations to resolve their grievances." "We join the international community in calling on all Libyans to respect the will of the people, including the authority of the recently-elected Council of Representatives, and to reject the use of violence to affect political processes," she stressed.
"Many brave Libyans sacrificed to advance their country toward a more secure and prosperous future. We continue to stand solidly by the Libyan people as they endeavor to do so," she concluded.
Furthermore, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that "at the request of the Department of State, the U.S. military assisted in the relocation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli." He added "all embassy personnel were relocated, including the Marine security guards who were providing security at the embassy and during the movement." He indicated that the embassy staff "was driven in vehicles to Tunisia," and that during movement "F-16's, ISR assets and an Airborne Response Force with MV-22 Ospreys provided security." "The mission was conducted without incident, and the entire operation lasted approximately five hours," he noted.
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