Italy closes embassy in Libya due to security fears

Italy closed its embassy in Libya on Sunday, citing worsening security conditions here, a diplomatic source in the capital of Tripoli told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"All the staff of the Italian embassy evacuated for security fears after receiving a piece of information on a possible attempted bombing on the embassy," the official said, noting that "no date of return has been specified."

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni confirmed in a statement that "the deteriorating situation in Libya made it necessary to close the embassy," adding that all the embassy staff have evacuated.

The Italian embassy is the last western foreign mission remained in the country since the fighting between the pro-secular militia and Islamist militants erupted since 2011.

Since the removal of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been deadlocked in turmoil with two rival governments and two parliaments, which are backed respectively by secular and Islamist forces.

The armed forces loyal to the two sides have been engaged in intense battles since last May, leaving at least 1,000 people killed and more than 100,000 displaced. Endit