Egypt bans Libya travel as unrest escalates

Published May 20th, 2014 - 03:00 GMT
Thousands of Egyptians cross the border every day for work in Libya (File Archive/AFP)
Thousands of Egyptians cross the border every day for work in Libya (File Archive/AFP)

Egypt has suspended travel to and from Libya due to ongoing unrest in the country.

Travel via the Salloum crossing, with the exception of trucks, was halted on Monday, Police General Anani Hammouda, the head of Marsa Matrouh security directorate, told Al-Ahram Arabic news website. 

EgyptAir has also suspended flights between Cairo and Benghazi until 25 May because the Benina International Airport in Benghazi is closed.

There will be two flights daily to Tripoli. 

Foreign ministry spokesperson Badr Abdel Aty said the situation of Egyptians living in Libya was being closely monitored.

The ministry has established an emergency hotline for Egyptian expats in Libya, he added. 

Egypt evacuated staff from its embassy and both consulates in Tripoli and Benghazi after the kidnapping of Egyptian diplomats in Benghazi last January.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content