Dhaka issues travel advisory on Libya

Bangladesh has advised its nationals not to travel to Libya until “the situation there becomes stable” as heavy shelling resumed on Thursday in southern Tripoli.

The foreign ministry said they were closely monitoring “the evolving situation” in Libya and, according to the latest report of its mission in Tripoli, “all Bangladeshi nationals there are safe”.

Many Bangladesh nationals have been moved to safer areas, the foreign ministry said, adding that all had been advised “to remain alert and avoid conflict zones”.

Reuters reported that heavy shelling resumed on Thursday in southern Tripoli where rival militia brigades were battling for control of the capital's main airport in some of the worst clashes since the 2011 revolt which ousted Muammar Gaddafi.

Around 200 people have been killed since the clashes erupted two weeks ago in the capital and also in the eastern city of Benghazi, where a coalition of Islamist militants and former rebels have overrun a major army base.

Bangladesh hopes that the Libyan government with the support of the international community would be able to contain the situation with “an inclusive political dialogue with all parties or groups”.