The United Nations mission in libya said on Monday it is withdrawing its staff from libya “temporarily” because of deteriorating security after deadly militia clashes over control of Tripoli International Airport.
In a statement posted on its official website, the United Nations Support Mission in libya said that the withdrawal comes after the mission has already been reducing its staff in the country over the past week. It added that fighting on Sunday and the airport’s closure prompted the mission to make a full withdrawal of its staffers.
“This is a temporary measure. Staff will return as soon as security conditions permit. The United Nations, which stood by the libyan people in their revolution in 2011, will not abandon them as they seek to build a democratic state,” the statement said. It added: “The United Nations looks forward to continuing to work with its libyan partners and hopes to return to Tripoli as soon as possible.”