Russian diplomats, families evacuated from Libya

Russian Foreign Ministry says Russian diplomats, their families have been evacuated from Libya, according to the Associated Press

This development comes after an armed mob broke into the Russian Embassy compound in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Wednesday, climbing over walls, breaking down a metal gate and shooting in the air. One of the attackers was killed by the gunfire, and four more were wounded, Libyan officials said.

Libyan officials said they believed the break-in was in response to the death of a Libyan air force pilot, who they said was killed by a Russian woman.

The Libyan official said Wednesday’s attackers took down the Russian flag that was hanging from the balcony of one of the buildings. But they did not enter the embassy buildings, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Update: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement that it decided to evacuate after Libya’s foreign minister told the Russian ambassador that Libya was unable to protect the embassy.

Lukashevich added that all the embassy workers and their families safely crossed the border into Tunisia Thursday.