Updated: Maltese ambassador leaves Tripoli on catamaran, embassy remains open

Maltese ambassador George Cassar has left Tripoli with his family and is coming to Malta on a catamaran, informed sources said this afternoon. However the embassy remains open and operational.

Some 15 Maltese are coming to Malta on the catamaran Maria Dolores, due in Grand Harbour late tonight.

The Maria Dolores and another catamaran, San Gwann, are carrying more than 500 workers of several nationalities to Malta. The Portuguese ambassador to Tripoli is also on one of the vessels.

Many embassies in Tripoli have now closed down, including the embassies of the US, the UK and Canada.

A spokesman for Virtu' Ferries said the two vessels will leave on a third trip to the Libyan capital late tonight. Any Maltese who show up would be able to travel free.

The government yesterday afternoon and this morning urged all Maltese in the Tripoli area to board the catamarans.

One of the catamarans on the current trip was chartered by a private company and the other was sent there by Virtu Ferries.

Their departure was delayed by rough weather, which however enabled more workers to reach the harbour.

Meanwhile, this evening's scheduled flights to Tripoli by Air Malta has been cancelled. Yesterday's flight was also cancelled, because of security concerns.