On Monday, the Libya Embassy in Slovakia announced that Ukrainian police are deliberately delaying the evacuation of Libyans to Slovakia.
In a statement, the Embassy explained that police are giving Ukrainians and other European nationals priority in crossing the border. This is from Ukraine’s Uzhgorod border crossing to Vyšné Nemecké in Slovakia.
The Embassy also called on Libyans, “to remain cautious and stay away from areas of tension and to abide by the instructions of the Ukrainian authorities, especially with regard to travelling between cities.”
The statement added that, “crossing from the Ukrainian side takes eight hours to reach the Slovakian border with motor vehicles, but there are obstacles at this crossing for pedestrians”.
It called on Libyan citizens to, “find safe shelter and stay inside, away from windows and doors if they are near military activity.”
On Saturday, the Charge d’Affairs of the Libya Embassy in Kyiv, Adel Bin Issa announced that they have begun the evacuation process of some Libyan families and students.
In press statements, Bin Issa said that 200 Libyan citizens who were stuck in the eastern city of Dnipro, close to the Russian border, were successfully transferred to a safe area in Kyiv.
He pointed out that the Embassy provided accommodation, ahead of evacuating them via the border crossing with Slovakia.
Bin Issa also denied news being circulated online that a Libyan student had died during the ongoing military operations.
Last week, the Libyan Foreign Ministry urged all citizens currently in Ukraine, to communicate with members of the repatriation committee in the Embassy in Slovakia. This is to ensure they are registered.
The Libya Embassy called on its citizens residing in Ukraine to communicate with it on the emergency numbers provided, or through its official website for more instructions and advice.
Libya’s Foreign Ministry had previously advised citizens residing in Ukraine to leave, and called for those planning to travel to postpone their trips at this time. The Ministry’s advice comes against the backdrop of tensions amid Russian advances in the country.