On Monday, The US Department of State issued a travel advisory warning for Libya, due to the spread of COVID-19, and the threat of terrorist attacks.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Libya due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of registered cases in the North-African country.
The travel advisory said that the crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom, and that European and American nationals have been targeted. The advisory noted that terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Libya.
“Violent extremist activity in Libya remains high, and extremist groups have made threats against U.S. government officials and citizens. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, hotels, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities,” the advisory warned.
“The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency or routine assistance to U.S. citizens in Libya, as the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli suspended its operations in July 2014,” it added.
The US stated it was very concerned about the targeting of commercial transportation in Libya, and prohibits US commercial aviation operations within Libyan airspace.