LIBYA-SECURITY/TUNISIA Armed group storms Tunisian consulate in Tripoli

Record ID: 151094

  • Title: LIBYA-SECURITY/TUNISIA Armed group storms Tunisian consulate in Tripoli
  • Date: 13th June 2015
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (JUNE 13, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF TUNISIAN CONSULATE WITH BARBED WIRE AROUND SECURITY CAMERA AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CONSULATE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY POLICE VEHICLE PARKED OUTSIDE THE TUNISIAN CONSULATE VARIOUS OF THE TUNISIAN CONSULATE SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CONSULATE THAT READS (Arabic): "THE GENERAL CONSULATE OF TUNISIA IN TRIPOLI" IN ARABIC CAR DRIV
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEFYJNSBWH0O82BIB2PK9CIIIO
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Security was tight at the Tunisian consulate in Libyan capital Tripoli on Saturday (June 13) after it has been stormed by an armed group on Friday (June 12).
    10 staff have been kidnapped by the attackers, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said.
    The ministry did not identify the armed group, but called the assault a "blatant attack on Tunisian national sovereignty and a flagrant violation of international laws".
    Tunisia is one of only a few countries which still has a mission in Tripoli, a city which is controlled by a group that has set up its own government, a rival to Libya's internationally recognised leaders.
    Tunisian authorities last month arrested Walid Kalib, a member of that rival group, Libya Dawn. On Thursday, a Tunisian court refused to release Kalib who faces kidnapping charges in Tunisia.
    Libya Dawn, a loose alliance of former rebel brigades and Islamist-leaning groups, seized power in Tripoli last summer, expelling the internationally recognised government to the east.
    Most countries closed their embassies during the fighting.
    Relations between the North African neighbours have become increasingly tense, with Tunisia's government worried about spillover from the chaos that continues to plague Libya four years after the overthrow of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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