British Embassy Operations in Libya Suspended Temporarily

Escalating violence in Tripoli has forced Britain to close its embassy in the Libyan capital, Friday.

The staff of the British embassy has been evacuated after Britain realized that the country is now in a state of war, The Guardian reports.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) urged Britons to leave Libya immediately and said that consular assistance would not be available from Monday, BBC reports. Many of the consular staff was evacuated last Monday, except for the ambassador and core staff members who had to stay back.

After FCO asked all Britons to leave the country, the British embassy began arranging an assisted departure for them. However, places were limited and people were advised to find a place for themselves on commercial flights on their own. These flights have limited departures from Misrata and Maitega airports and there are around 100 to 300 Britons in the north African country.

 "The protection of our staff is paramount, and we assess that the current environment in Tripoli does not allow us to operate safely. We have therefore decided temporarily to relocate UK-based staff from the country," the FCO spokesman said.

Ambassador Michael Aron said the situation is "very sad" and tweeted: "Reluctantly we've decided we have to leave & temporarily suspend Embassy operations in #Libya. We will be back as soon as security allows."

Hostility gripped Libya since the uprising in 2011. According to media reports, the past two weeks witnessed more than 200 live being claimed in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Thousands took to the streets on Friday to protest against the militias who have been fighting Libyan armed forces.

Even though commercial flights are still leaving Libya, the Foreign Office (FCO) warned that flight schedules could change without notice at any time.