Nine Spaniards trapped in a Tripoli hotel for armed clashes between militias | Spain
At least nine Spaniards are trapped in a Hotel in Tripoli (Libya) while outside the shootings between armed features. The nine Spaniards are part of an excursion organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Tarragona, of which there are another 12 Spaniards, scattered throughout several hotels in the city. The nine are safe and have taken refuge in the basement of the hotel establishment.
« Our Embassy in Tripoli, with our ambassador (Javier Soria Quintana) in front, is in contact with them, are located, and have been transferred the message that they avoid displacements and remain in their residences or hotels, » official sources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have indicated. « As soon as the security conditions allow it, the embassy will meet with them and help you get out of the country if you wish, » they added. Through social networks, the embassy has reiterated its emergency phones, so that the Spaniards who are in the area get in touch with it. « They are at the hotel in contact with the embassy, they are calm, » explain a relative of one of those affected. « The combatants are not interested in harming them, so everything is under control within unpredictability. »
In the Spanish embassy in Tripoli there are about 160 Spaniards registered, most Spanish-liby families that in the past have declined their pro cause of conflict evacuation. According to exterior sources. Besides. The diplomatic representation is in permanent contact with 45 found in the country for work reasons (almost half in the ambassador’s residence while the rest are in hotels). In parallel, the embassy is making rounds of contacts and analyzing the situation in which they are, they add the same sources.
The Spanish business entourage arrived in the capital Libya last Monday and was surprised by the greatest armed clashes of recent years, after the murder of Abdel Ghani al Kikli, aka Ghaniwaleader of the stability support apparatus (SSA), a powerful militia that have faced Brigade 444, affiliated with the Abdelhamid Dabaiba unit. The fighting has left at least six dead, have forced to close the airport and suspend classes and the authorities have asked the population to remain in their homes, EFE reports.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has requested a high fire on Wednesday and has reiterated its « deep concern » after the second consecutive night of violent clashes between armed groups in the south of Tripoli. The UN has warned of an escalation of violence in « densely populated residential areas (…) endangering the lives of civilians » in a statement released in Your X accountin which he has asked « a high immediate and unconditional fire » among all militias. After warning that « the continuous clashes will only further destabilize the capital and the country as a whole, » he urged « all parties A (…) to establish without delay a serious and constructive dialogue to solve the differences by peaceful means. »
Libya suffers Chronic instability since NATO intervention caused in 2011 the fall of Colonel Muhamar El Gadadafi regime. While the eastern part of the country is under control of Marshal Jalifa Hafter, in the West the National Unity Government tries to impose control over a myriad of armed groups. On Tuesday, after the first clashes, the prime minister announced a restructuring of the security apparatus. « There is no space for chaos or violations and security tasks will be exclusive to regular state institutions, » he proclaimed.
