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Briton shot dead in Libya named as Mark De Salis Briton shot dead in Libya named as Mark De Salis
(about 4 hours later)
A British man shot dead in Libya has been named by the Foreign Office as energy worker Mark De Salis. The family of a British man who was shot dead on a beach in Libya said they are shocked and devastated by his killing.
De Salis and a woman from New Zealand who has not yet been named, were found dead near Mellitah, Libya's main gas export terminal on the coast, 60 miles (100km) west of the capital, Tripoli. The bodies of energy worker Mark De Salis and a female friend from New Zealand were discovered with gunshot wounds near the coastal area of Mellitah in the west of the country, according to a Libyan security source.
A Libyan security official said the bodies had been found on Thursday lying face down on the beach with gunshot wounds to their heads. The woman, who has not been named, was described as a "close friend" by De Salis' family.
"It doesn't look like a robbery because there was no break-in at their Toyota car parked nearby. It was left untouched until we came," the official told Reuters, declining to be named. "We found the bullets," he added. De Salis, who had been working in Tripoli, Libya, for six years, was remembered as a "decent and incredibly loyal man".
A photograph which is claimed to be of the dead pair has been posted on Facebook. The picture, which was taken at night, shows them both lying face down on sand. Near them is what appears to be a picnic blanket with their belongings spread out on it, alongside a backpack. A statement released through the Foreign Office said: "The family of Mark De Salis are shocked and devastated to hear about Mark's death in Libya. Mark had been working in Tripoli in Libya for six years. He worked for First Engineering and was currently working as a power manager bringing generators to Tripoli to provide electricity. Mark enjoyed his work in Tripoli and liked the Libyan people.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office on behalf of the dead man's family said they were "shocked and devastated". "Mark enjoyed travelling and had travelled extensively. He was a decent and incredibly loyal man and he was loved by many. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
It said De Salis had been working for First Engineering in Tripoli for six years. He was working as a power manager bringing generators to Tripoli to provide electricity at the time of his death. "Mark was with a close friend from New Zealand who was also killed and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
The statement added: "Mark enjoyed his work in Tripoli and liked the Libyan people. Mark enjoyed travelling and had travelled extensively. He was a decent and incredibly loyal man and he was loved by many. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. "We would ask that our privacy is respected at this time."
"Mark was with a close friend from New Zealand who was also killed and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time." A photograph claimed to be of De Salis and his friend has been posted on Facebook. The picture, taken at night, shows them both lying face down on sand. Near them is what appears to be a picnic blanket with their belongings spread out on it, alongside a backpack.
The New Zealand foreign affairs ministry released a statement on Saturday saying the dead woman had been visiting the country and was normally resident in New Zealand. It said details of the deaths were still unclear. Mellitah is near the town of Zuwarah and 60 miles (100km) west of Tripoli. The area is home to a large oil and gas complex co-owned by Italian company ENI.
Foreign Office officials have already urged the Libyan government to hold a thorough investigation into the murders, noting that its hargé d'affaires has raised the shooting with the Libyan authorities.
The Foreign Office said they: "We call upon the Libyan government to carry out a thorough investigation into this tragic incident and to continue to do all it can to bring to justice the perpetrators of this appalling crime, as it strives to build strong rule of law in Libya."
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