Effort to evacuate Irish in Libya criticised

THE Department of Foreign Affairs is facing growing criticism over its botched evacuation of Irish citizens from Libya, after it emerged it has failed to contact all of those still trapped in the chaotic scenes.

As the north African country descends further into anarchy and has become the subject of US sanctions threats, a department spokesperson last night confirmed 21 Irish people remain stranded in the capital, Tripoli.

While 12 citizens who were based in the eastern opposition-controlled city of Benghazi were all evacuated by sea yesterday, six more continue to face genuine danger in other parts of the country.