THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs has advised all Irish citizens in Libya to leave, and is urging anyone considering travelling to the north African state to cancel their plans.
Although communication links such as internet and telephone remain difficult, consular officials are in contact with all Irish nationals in the country. They are understood to number some 40 people.
“We are advising against all travel to Libya. We are advising all Irish citizens who are out there to leave by commercial means if possible and if it is safe to do so,” a department spokesman said.
Six employees of Dublin-based firm Mercury Engineering are in Benghazi, the city where most deaths have occurred during a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Four other women who hold Irish passports and are married to Libyan men are long-term residents in the city. It is thought unlikely they will attempt to leave.
The Irish citizens in Benghazi are not in any immediate danger, according to officials.
Irish officials have been working with their EU counterparts to explore options to assist citizens in Libya and help them leave the country safely.
“The security and safety of Irish citizens remains our paramount concern, and we are advising Irish nationals to remain in a secure location locally if it is not possible or safe for them to make their way to a port of exit,” added the spokesman.