Safety in Libya
The safety situation for expats living in Libya has deteriorated dramatically since the start of the nation’s civil uprising in February 2011, and thousands of foreign citizens evacuated the country to avoid the bloody battles between the now-deceased dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s government militia men and opposition forces.
Though Qaddafi’s death signifies the end of violence and tyranny in Libya, reports of chaos continue and the provisional leaders of Libya’s Transitional National Council have refused to acknowledge the end of the conflict until all top members of the former government are arrested, killed or made to flee.
For this reason, it’s advised that expats currently living in Libya take the necessary steps to evacuate, and that those planning to travel to Libya for work halt their plans until the situation has been fully resolved.
Many land borders that were previously closed have been reopened, Tripoli’s port remains functional and the UN is chartering flights out of the country.
Expats should consult their national state department to find out more information about provided evacuation services.
Apart from the recent political strife, the most imminent danger in Libya is the poor standard of driving. The nation is well-known for having one of the highest road death tolls in the world, and it is no secret that driving in Libya can be a walk on the wild side.
Police rarely enforce traffic laws, and the actions of other drivers on the road can be reckless and difficult to anticipate. Expats should be sure to exercise extreme caution while commuting, practice defensive driving at all times, and should strongly consider buying a non-luxury vehicle with a high standard of safety. As child safety seats are not commonly used by locals, it is a good idea to bring your own if you have young kids. Public transportation is hardly a more reliable option, so it’s best to brave the elements with your own instincts behind the wheel.
Police, fire and ambulance services operate in and around major cities, but they are notoriously slow to arrive and poorly equipped. Most of the employees in these services do not speak English, though they do tend to treat foreigners with deference, and in some cases, even more respect than Libyan citizens.
Though Qaddafi’s death signifies the end of violence and tyranny in Libya, reports of chaos continue and the provisional leaders of Libya’s Transitional National Council have refused to acknowledge the end of the conflict until all top members of the former government are arrested, killed or made to flee.
For this reason, it’s advised that expats currently living in Libya take the necessary steps to evacuate, and that those planning to travel to Libya for work halt their plans until the situation has been fully resolved.
Many land borders that were previously closed have been reopened, Tripoli’s port remains functional and the UN is chartering flights out of the country.
Expats should consult their national state department to find out more information about provided evacuation services.
Driving in Libya
Apart from the recent political strife, the most imminent danger in Libya is the poor standard of driving. The nation is well-known for having one of the highest road death tolls in the world, and it is no secret that driving in Libya can be a walk on the wild side.
Police rarely enforce traffic laws, and the actions of other drivers on the road can be reckless and difficult to anticipate. Expats should be sure to exercise extreme caution while commuting, practice defensive driving at all times, and should strongly consider buying a non-luxury vehicle with a high standard of safety. As child safety seats are not commonly used by locals, it is a good idea to bring your own if you have young kids. Public transportation is hardly a more reliable option, so it’s best to brave the elements with your own instincts behind the wheel.
Emergency services
Police, fire and ambulance services operate in and around major cities, but they are notoriously slow to arrive and poorly equipped. Most of the employees in these services do not speak English, though they do tend to treat foreigners with deference, and in some cases, even more respect than Libyan citizens.
Emergency contact numbers
- Police: 193
- Fire: 190
- Ambulance: 191
