The evacuation of hundreds of Americans from Tripoli on Maltese catamarans has been delayed because of bad weather, informed sources said this evening.

The catamarans arrived in Tripoli late this morning and have been embarking passengers.

However heavy seas have made it impossible for them to depart.

"Departure is not expected before the morning, and the vessels may first go to Tunisia before coming to Malta," the sources said.

The catamarans have been chartered by the US State Department, but are also carrying four Maltese workers.

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