In this Saturday, July 26, 2014, frame grab from video obtained from a freelance journalist traveling with the Misarata brigade, shows an airplane on the tarmac of the airport belching black smoke into the air during fighting between the Islamist Misarata brigade and a powerful rival militia, in Tripoli, Libya. Germany on Sunday advised all citizens currently in Libya to immediately leave the strife-torn country, following measures taken by countries including Britain and the United States to protect citizens from increasing violence. AP
BERLIN鈥擥ermany on Sunday advised all citizens currently in Libya to immediately leave the strife-torn country, following measures taken by countries including Britain and the United States to protect citizens from increasing violence.
鈥淭he situation is extremely unpredictable and uncertain,鈥� the German foreign ministry said. 鈥淕erman nationals are at increased risk of kidnapping and attacks.鈥�
The Dutch government also updated its travel advice on Sunday, making an 鈥渦rgent call鈥� for its estimated 70 citizens in the country to leave by their own means.
鈥淔orty Dutch citizens registered with the embassy in the capital Tripoli have鈥� been warned by email and sms,鈥� a foreign ministry statement said.
The Dutch embassy, comprising five diplomats and 10 local staff, is preparing for 鈥渢emporary closure鈥� after assisting citizens who choose to leave, the statement added.
The United States evacuated its Libyan embassy staff under air cover Saturday as they faced a 鈥渞eal risk鈥� from fierce fighting around Tripoli airport, Secretary of State John Kerry said.
The airport was closed on July 13 following clashes between armed groups in the area.
Britain later updated its advice to warn against travel to Libya, and told those already there to leave.
鈥淒ue to the ongoing and greater intensity of fighting in Tripoli and wider instability throughout Libya, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Libya,鈥� the ministry鈥檚 website said.
鈥淏ritish nationals in Libya should leave now by commercial means.鈥�
Britain鈥檚 embassy will remain open but with reduced staff, and its ability to provide consular assistance 鈥渋s very limited,鈥� the Foreign Office said.
鈥楬igh terror threat鈥�
The ministry warned of a high threat of terrorism, noting that a number of foreign nationals have been shot dead in recent months.
It told those still in Libya, believed to number between 100 and 300, to avoid demonstrations or large crowds and to 鈥渒eep a low profile.鈥�
The US announcement that it was evacuating its embassy came hours after Libya鈥檚 interim government warned that the clashes between militia vying for control of the strategic airport were threatening to tear the country apart.
France has told its nationals to remain cautious and strongly advised against travel to Benghazi, while the Dutch, Czech, Maltese and Austrian foreign ministries have ongoing advice not to travel to Libya.
Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway have all also advised against travel, while Sweden has also told its citizens to leave Benghazi.
Spain鈥檚 foreign ministry 鈥渧ery strongly鈥� recommends that all Spaniards leave Libya 鈥渋mmediately鈥� and Switzerland has warned citizens that it would find it difficult to rescue them should the situation deteriorate.
Belgium on July 16 told nationals to leave the country 鈥渋mmediately鈥� and Turkish citizens were advised to leave on July 24, a day before its government suspended operations at the Tripoli embassy.
Austria, Italy and Portugal have all warned nationals against travelling around the country, with Austria saying that the risk of terrorist attack was particularly high in Benghazi.