London advises its citizens in Tripoli to remain vigilant

LONDON, Jan. 31 (UPI) —

The British government said Friday its residents in Tripoli should be on alert for the potential for violence, including kidnapping.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Friday there was a "high threat from terrorism [and] kidnapping" in Libya.

"There is the potential for further violence. British nationals in Tripoli should remain vigilant," it advised.

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Razak Grady said Friday five Egyptian diplomats were released by kidnappers nearly a week after they were taken from their homes in Libya.

"I can confirm that three of the Egyptian embassy staff are home and the rest are in the process of being transferred to the custody of state authorities," he told the BBC.

The British government said its embassy in Tripoli remains open to provide consular services, though its office in Benghazi is closed as a security precaution.

Libyan authorities have struggled to restore national order since civil war ended in 2011. In early January, the Libyan government in early January declared a state of emergency for southern parts of the country because of the fighting.