St James Hospital have shut their clinic in Libya and evacuated their expatriate staff due to the escalating tension.

Only one member of staff was Maltese.

The hospital first opened its doors in 2006 with a small specialised clinic in Ben Ashour, Tripoli and expanded with a second clinic in 2012.

However, the company took a decision to evacuate staff after Islamic State continued to make progress in Libya. St James Hospital Group chairman Josie Muscat confirmed that the decision to close the hospital was taken following intelligence reports of a serious threat.

Last month, nine people including guests were killed during an attack in the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli by a number of terrorists. The hotel remains closed.

The situation in Libya continues to worsen with the government yesterday renewing its travel advice against all travel to the country.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat earlier welcomed an announcement by Italy that it would be ready to join a UN-led force to battle "an active terrorist threat" after recent advances by a faction in Libya that has sworn loyalty to Islamic State.

Libya's National Oil Corporation urgently called for more official protection for its installations after an oil pipeline from its El Sarir field was sabotaged, halting flow to Hariga port.

In a separate incident, gunmen stormed government buildings in the coastal city of Sirte, forcing officials out at gunpoint and taking over administrative offices and television and radio stations, the state news agency said.

No group claimed responsibility for today’s pipeline sabotage, but oil infrastructure, ports and pipelines in the North African OPEC member state are often targets of attack.

Libya is riven by conflict, with two rival governments operating their own armed forces under separate parliaments, nearly four years after the civil war that led to the overthrow and death of leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The fighting also involves Islamist militant groups, former rebels, soldiers who fought for Gaddafi, and tribal and federalist factions often pursuing local causes.