US urges citizens to leave Libya immediately

The US Tuesday warned that its citizens leave Libya "immediately" due to "unpredictable and unstable" security situation in the North African nation.

The State Department issued an updated travel warning, advising Americans against all travel to Libya and recommending that those currently in the country "depart immediately", Xinhua reported.

"Due to security concerns, the Department of State has limited staffing at Embassy Tripoli and is only able to offer very limited emergency services to US citizens in Libya," the agency said in its warning posted online, adding that "the security situation in Libya remains unpredictable and unstable."

Heavy clashes broke out lately between militias in Libya, where Islamist and non-Islamist forces have been locking horns over whether to dissolve the 200-seat parliament. Armed groups attacked the General National Congress May 18.

Washington has reportedly deployed ships and personnel off the coast of Libya in case of emergency evacuations, including marines and tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft.

"Because of the presumption that foreigners, especially US citizens, in Libya may be associated with the US government or US NGOs, travellers should be aware that they may be targeted for kidnapping, violent attacks, or death," the State Department warned.

"US citizens currently in Libya should exercise extreme caution and depart immediately," it said.