Kenyans in Libya safe - ministry says

By Athman Amran

The about 60 Kenyans living and working in Libya, which is gripped by anti-government protests are safe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

The ministry indicated that the embassy is arranging to only evacuate the families of ‘home-based’ embassy staff, while it monitors the situation.

"Kenyans in Libya are safe, although the situation on the ground remains tense," the statement released on Tuesday said.

Among the 60 Kenyans, who exclude the embassy staff, 49 are working for Strabag Construction Company in Misrata and Tatula in Tripoli.

The ministry said the company has closed down temporarily and is making arrangements to evacuate the Kenyans.

The ministry said the embassy is also monitoring the situation in the towns of Sabha, Ghat and Uvari in South of Libya, where 11 Kenyan teachers are working.

"The situation is calm in these areas, and no uprising is expected. But the Kenya Embassy in Tripoli is monitoring the situation," the statement from the ministry said.

According to Human Rights Watch 62 people had died in clashes in Tripoli in the past two days, on top of its previous toll of 233 dead. Libyan protestors have claimed control of the country’s second largest city of Benghazi following protests that are aimed at toppling Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.