China temporarily closes embassy in conflict-torn Libya

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING

China has temporarily shut down its embassy in Libya amid ongoing conflicts in the North African country.

The state-run People's Daily Online reported Friday that the announcement, posted on the Chinese foreign ministry’s account on the country’s social media platform Weibo, said the mission would remain closed until November.

The ministry also cautioned nationals against traveling to Libya, where a few Chinese officials are expected to remain in case of any emergency.

Contact information for the embassy was also included in the Weibo post.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a bloody rebellion ended with the ouster and death of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Since then, two rival seats of government have emerged in Tobruk and Tripoli -- with both administrations boasting a significant military capacity and a legislative assembly.