Egypt has repatriated 71 of its citizens from Libya following a wave of violent clashes between armed factions in Tripoli earlier this month, the country’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday.
The Egyptian nationals were returned on a specially arranged EgyptAir flight from the Libyan capital, organised for those who had requested to leave. “The flight enabled the return of 71 Egyptian citizens who had expressed their desire to come home,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
From May 12-15, Tripoli was shaken by intense fighting between militia groups affiliated with the internationally recognised government and rival factions the administration has attempted to dismantle. The United Nations reported that the clashes — which included artillery shelling in central parts of the city — left at least eight people dead.
Although the capital has since seen a return to relative calm, the atmosphere remains tense amid growing political unrest and increasing pressure on Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah to step down.
Turkey carried out a similar evacuation last week, airlifting 82 of its nationals out of Tripoli amid safety concerns.
Libya remains divided between two competing governments — one based in the west and recognised by the United Nations, headed by Dbeibah, and another based in the east. The country has endured chronic instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the overthrow and death of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
