Off to Tripoli in Libya? Read on for security advice

Posted: 15/01/2016

15 January 2016 - RPS Partnership

Please contact us if you are thinking of working in Libya or travelling there for work. We can advise you on travel security, training and contingency planning. Contact us on [email protected] for training in the UK and at our training venue in Malta.

One of the RPS team returned from Tripoli just before December 2015 and has written us this informative piece on travelling to Libya, how he found it and the security situation on the ground. He provides us with the latest top tips for travelling there. This is a must for anyone planning to travel there.

Our RPS consultant says....

We travelled to Tripoli via Istanbul from Malta then onward journey on by Afriqiyah to Mitiga.

Visas

There is a requirement for a visa to exit and re-enter the airport if you cannot connect the same day. (The visa can be bought online https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ or at the Istanbul airport, it is $60 for a British Passport holder for a 6 month multi entry visa). I would check this prior to travel as it may change. * Note Libyan’s have to pay $60 for a one-time entry.

The arrival at Mitiga was chaotic as two aircraft arrived at the same time, this is a common occurrence. Foreigners are normally questioned on their activities whilst in Libya and place of work and where they are staying.  We stayed at the Al Waddan Hotel, which only seemed to have10 guests persons but the service was acceptable as was the condition of the Hotel. A reduced restaurant programme was in place due to low occupancy and the buffet system normally practised was not provided.

Security on the hotel

The security on the Hotel was low key but adequate and initially not noticeable. They have a bag scanner machine and scan gate on the main entrance door and with the other security measures in place, we were happy that there seemed to be adequate security.

Internet

You may be disappointed as the free internet service was not really satisfactory, so don't bank on sending too many emails whilst there.

We visited, Oea Village, and Palm City on the 21st and the offices in the Dahra area.

Oea Village

There has been extensive upgrading of the facility we think mainly at the behest of the UN. There are numerous other security measures now in place, but we don't want to outline them here. If anyone needs to know this information, then please do get in touch and we would be happy to disucss your trip [email protected]. Our RPS consultant has conducted a full review. 

There is however a good emergency safe haven and othe evacuation measures are in place.

Broad Security Overview of Tripoli

What you really notice is the the absence of Militia forces on the streets in the central and carrying weapons is clearly noticeable.

The militia forces have pulled back to agreed areas, and unless on some kind of operation generally stay out of the central area.

The majority of Tripoli based Militia’s have agreements on whose turf is whose; the Misrata Militias are in the suburbs mainly south of the centre.There are police operations, some are heavily armed and conduct mobile patrols, and snap checkpoints - they look well dressed and equipped.

There are traffic police in the usual areas they would have been found pre the Revolution. The traffic is as bad as it ever was, and obviously worse if the is an accident, or roads are closed due to Militia activity. The pace of life is seemingly normal, the roads are busy and people are on the streets there are many new shops and amazingly very busy.

The area of the Gargarish road where the high end shops like Marks and Spencer, has boomed in the year since we last looked, one could almost be in any major city in the world.

There are play areas on the coast road set up for children and they are busy most evenings and have an almost carnival atmosphere.

Coffee shops have sprung up everywhere, and are busy. The local reaction to seeing foreigners was welcoming, and in the cases of people we knew, they were very pleased to see us.

It would appear that the local Tripolitanians have decided that they will just get on with life, however inflation is very evident as prices have gone up significantly.

So rather than the non permissive environment depicted by the various Government warnings and the Media, the situation was calm orderly and typically Libyan.

There was a noticeable amount of rubbish however this looked to be the residue of the recent heavy rains. There were street cleaners seen but not in the numbers of a year ago as many countries have pulled their citizens out or have advised them to leave, despite this we were told there are still 3,000 Philippinos still in Tripoli alone.

Summary of the RPS consultant's visit

Libya is still a dangerous place and not for the feint hearted. However with the correct policies, procedures and protective security measures in place it was viewed that Tripoli is tenable for potential business. Please contact us if you are thinking of working in Libya or travelling there for work. We can advise you on travel security, training and contingency planning. Contact us on [email protected] for training in the UK and at our training venue in Malta.

Source: RPS consultant

Photo: wikimedia.org

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