BP takes staff out of Tripoli over risk of violence

BP has withdrawn some staff from its office in Libya’s capital as a “temporary precautionary measure” following a similar move by the British Embassy in Tripoli.

The oil firm staff withdrawn are non-essential and non-Libyan, and were removed after guidance issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a BP spokesman said.

BP would not say how many staff will be affected but confirmed the office will remain open.

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The spokesman added: “In line with advice from the British Embassy in Tripoli, we have brought some of our non-Libyan staff – non-essential personnel – out of Tripoli as a temporary precautionary measure.

“This is a phased reduction of non-essential staff, but the office continues to operate normally with Libyan staff and some of our non-Libyan staff.

“We will continue to monitor the security situation and move the people back into Libya when we feel appropriate.”

The decision on security grounds follows armed groups disrupting access to a number of government ministries in Tripoli.

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On Friday a Foreign Office spokesman said the British Embassy in Tripoli was temporarily withdrawing some staff due to “ongoing political uncertainty”.

It warned of a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping, due to the risk of retaliatory attacks following the French intervention in Mali.

The spokesman said: “Given the security implications of the political uncertainty, the British Embassy is temporarily withdrawing a small number of staff, mainly those who work in support of government ministries which have been affected by recent developments.”

BP has long-term exploration contracts in Libya but currently has no operations in the country.

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The FCO has advised against all but essential travel to Tripoli, Zuwara, Az Zawiya, Al Khums, Zlitan and Misrata, and to the coastal towns from Ras Lanuf to the Egyptian border.

It also advises against all travel to Benghazi and the rest of Libya.

The BP spokesman added “fewer than a dozen” people are affected by the move.

In a joint statement last week, the UK, French and United States governments urged an end to the armed protest and violence.

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It said: “The Libyan people bravely fought and overthrew a dictator in order to ensure a stable, free, and prosperous future for themselves and their children. As Libya manages this challenging transition, it is vital that the country’s institutions operate free from armed intimidation.”