Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is monitoring the situation in Libya after local authorities declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night.
Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato said the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli is in touch with members of the Filipino Community and reported that none has so far been affected by the clashes.
This, as it issued an advisory to the estimated 1,000 Filipinos working in the capital and western parts of the country and urged them to stay calm but vigilant.
In a bulletin sent to the media, the department asked all Filipinos who may need assistance to contact the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli at +218.91.824.4208.
The Presidential Council in Libya placed security forces on alert after units loyal to the rival Libyan National Army announced they have begun advancing towards Tripoli, triggering some limited clashes south of the capital that left one person dead.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres initially expressed “deep concern” over the military movement and the risk of confrontation it poses.
“There is no military solution. Only intra-Libyan dialogue can solve Libyan problems. I call for calm and restraint,” he said Thursday.
