British Embassy Convoy Attacked as EU Countries Ask Citizens to Leave Libya

Germany on Sunday advised all citizens currently in Libya to immediately leave the strife-torn country as a British embassy convoy came under fire, amid measures taken by countries including Britain and the United States to protect citizens from increasing violence.

"The situation is extremely unpredictable and uncertain," the German foreign ministry said. "German nationals are at increased risk of kidnapping and attacks."

The Dutch government also updated its travel advice on Sunday, making an "urgent call" for its estimated 70 citizens in the country to leave by their own means.

"Forty Dutch citizens registered with the embassy in the capital Tripoli have... been warned by email and sms," a foreign ministry statement said.

The Dutch embassy, comprising five diplomats and 10 local staff, is preparing for "temporary closure" 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 "real risk" 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.

"Due 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," the ministry's website said. 

"British nationals in Libya should leave now by commercial means."

Britain's embassy will remain open but with reduced staff, and its ability to provide consular assistance "is very limited," the Foreign Office said.

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 "keep a low profile."

Meanwhile, a British embassy convoy in Tripoli came under fire on Sunday in an attempted carjacking but no-one was hurt, a spokesman for London's mission in Libya said.

"Early this morning a British embassy convoy was subject to an attempted carjacking. Shots were fired at our vehicles but they managed to drive on and leave the area," spokesman Bob Phillipson said.

"All embassy personnel are safe and accounted for and there were no injuries," he said.

The attack took place in western Tripoli, witnesses said.

Carjackings are common in Tripoli and armed groups target the armored vehicles used by foreign diplomats for theft.

Phillipson said that "in light of travel restrictions in and around Tripoli, we are reducing the number of staff at the Embassy," but that the mission "remains open for core business."

The U.S. announcement that it was evacuating its embassy came hours after Libya's 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's foreign ministry "very strongly" recommends that all Spaniards leave Libya "immediately" 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 "immediately" 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 traveling around the country, with Austria saying that the risk of terrorist attack was particularly high in Benghazi.