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Libya unrest: Irish plane told to leave Tripoli | Libya unrest: Irish plane told to leave Tripoli |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An Irish air corps plane has been forced to leave the Libyan capital without evacuating any Irish citizens. | |
The plane spent four hours at Tripoli airport on Wednesday night but was prevented by Libyan security officials from picking anyone up. | The plane spent four hours at Tripoli airport on Wednesday night but was prevented by Libyan security officials from picking anyone up. |
The aircraft has now returned to Valetta in Malta but is expected to go back to Libya to resume the evacuation. | The aircraft has now returned to Valetta in Malta but is expected to go back to Libya to resume the evacuation. |
Dozens of British citizens were flown back to the UK on Thursday morning with more flights out of Tripoli due later. | Dozens of British citizens were flown back to the UK on Thursday morning with more flights out of Tripoli due later. |
A small number of Irish citizens, said to be less than half a dozen, managed to leave Tripoli on Wednesday night on flights operated by other European governments. | A small number of Irish citizens, said to be less than half a dozen, managed to leave Tripoli on Wednesday night on flights operated by other European governments. |
A flight organised by BP and other oil companies has brought home 120 British nationals. | A flight organised by BP and other oil companies has brought home 120 British nationals. |
During the night, another airliner, sent by the government, arrived in Tripoli along with an RAF transport plane. | During the night, another airliner, sent by the government, arrived in Tripoli along with an RAF transport plane. |
The Foreign Office said "a number of additional planes" could be sent to Libya throughout the day. | The Foreign Office said "a number of additional planes" could be sent to Libya throughout the day. |
It is understood the government has put an SAS unit on standby to help rescue British nationals if required. | It is understood the government has put an SAS unit on standby to help rescue British nationals if required. |
Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days. | Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days. |
However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps. | However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps. |
They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out. | They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out. |
"Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," Foreign Secretary William Hague said. | "Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," Foreign Secretary William Hague said. |
After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control. | After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control. |
The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country. | The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country. |
In his first public remarks on the crisis, President Obama has said that the US government is exploring a "full range of options" in response to the crisis. | In his first public remarks on the crisis, President Obama has said that the US government is exploring a "full range of options" in response to the crisis. |
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45. | UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45. |
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya. | The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya. |
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments. | Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments. |
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