TRIPOLI, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Interior Ministry on Tuesday denied the withdrawal of the Italian embassy from the capital Tripoli due to violent clashes.
"The Diplomatic Security Department of the Ministry of the Interior denies rumors of withdrawal of the Italian embassy from Tripoli," the ministry said in a statement.
It also called on all its members inside Tripoli to urgently return to their positions and exercise their duties to preserve security, particularly foreign embassies and missions.
Local media reported that the staff of the Italian Embassy in Tripoli had left on Monday due to the armed clashes in the city.
Southern Tripoli has been witnessing violent clashes since last week between government forces and armed militias, which so far killed 41 people and injured 123 others.
The reasons for the clashes remain unknown, with growing tensions and military mobilization over the past few days between armed groups from outside and inside the city in southern Tripoli.
