North Western Libya: Another busy week in and around Tripoli with the news being dominated by the attack on Libya's official television station on Tuesday evening, with the attackers firing rocket-propelled grenades at the troops guarding it before they were driven off by reinforcements. The officials said the attackers were likely the followers of militia leader Jumaa al-Shahm, who had controlled the Libya TV station building in the capital Tripoli for several months before they were ousted by government forces last week and al-Sham arrested. Crime is still clearly on the rise in the capital with robberies of homes and car jacking's becoming more common especially in the outlying areas and airport road either early in the morning or late in the evenings after dark.
Eastern Libya: Regular incidents have continued to occur throughout the east of the country with high profile killings this week in Sirte, Benghazi and Derna which are the three main hot spots in the eastern region at present. Following the murder of the French engineer Patrice Réal last week, foreign medical workers inside Libya have offered their resignations at the Benghazi Medical Centre showing their outrage of the killing. Libya's defence ministry has issued orders to its military authorizing the use of force to stop a North Korea-flagged tanker loading crude oil sold by armed rebels in the east seeking to bypass the Tripoli government. The latest reports have stated that the tanker that loaded an illegal shipment of oil from Sidra port has been intercepted after it set sail and headed for international waters. Everyone is keenly monitoring the situation to see what comes of this incursion and where the tanker ends up. Southern Libya: A truce has been brokered between Tebu and Zwai fighters in the Kufra region with stability in Kufra returning for the time being. The truce agreement came into full effect once Omar Mukhtar Brigade forces finished setting up checkpoints and patrols around the area. Protestors at the Sharara oilfield in the south-west of the country who have been preventing oil being pumped say they suspended their action on Saturday. However they say they will be back in a fortnight's time if their demands are not met. The suspension will have limited effect as the pipeline to the Zawia refinery and terminal is still subject to separate action near Reyayna in the Jebel Nafusa by members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard from Zintan who have turned down the valves, demanding what had been described as compensation. SNE assesses that travel to Libya is still possible but advises that stringent security and travel management plans are in place. An itinerary specific pre-travel risk assessment including mitigation measures are recommended. Travel to desert and border areas, between cities and major urban centres may require additional security support. In-country personnel should be confident in their evacuation procedures and crisis management plans. Crime remains one of the biggest risks to foreign personnel operating on the ground and the risk is assessed to be at its highest in outlying areas of the cities, particularly after last light when travel is not recommended. SNE can assist clients with pre entry risk assessments, on the ground physical support, safe discreet transportation, accommodation/business centre and risk management services throughout the region with villas and offices in both Tripoli & Benghazi.
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