US State Department Advises Americans in Libya to Leave Immediately

Hmm, where were the calls from the State Department and Hillary Clinton to heed the warnings and requests from Ambassador Stevens in 2011 in Benghazi?

The US State Department issued a warning on Tuesday to avoid traveling to Libya and telling Americans currently in Libya to leave immediately due to security concerns. What, like the downward spiraling security situation in Libya has not been precarious for years? The evacuation warning came shortly after the USS Bataan, with about 1,000 Marines aboard, sailed into the Mediterranean Sea to assist Americans in leaving if necessary. So how is that Obama foreign policy in Libya working? Obama has managed to make a bad situation, even worse. But as Democratic wannabe presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, “What difference does it Make”.

What’s the matter, Obama “#” foreign policy not working in Libya?

The United States warned its citizens Tuesday to avoid travel to Libya and advised that all Americans currently in that country leave immediately due to a precarious security situation.

“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 U.S. citizens in Libya,” a statement read.

The State Department said the security situation in Libya remains unstable almost three years since a revolution deposed the late leader Moammar Gadhafi. Military-grade weapons, including antiaircraft weapons, are in the hands of private individuals, the State Department warned.

Other threats come from extremist groups, which the U.S. says have made specific threats against American officials and citizens. The statement issued Tuesday warned that “travelers should be aware that they may be targeted for kidnapping, violent attacks, or death.”

US State Department: Libya Travel Warning.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya and recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Libya depart immediately. 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 U.S. citizens in Libya.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 12, 2013.

The security situation in Libya remains unpredictable and unstable.  The Libyan government has not been able to adequately build its military and police forces and improve security following the 2011 revolution.  Many military-grade weapons remain in the hands of private individuals, including antiaircraft weapons that may be used against civilian aviation.  Crime levels remain high in many parts of the country.  In addition to the threat of crime, various groups have called for attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Libya.  Extremist groups in Libya have made several specific threats this year against U.S. government officials, citizens, and interests in Libya.  Because of the presumption that foreigners, especially U.S. citizens, in Libya may be associated with the U.S. government or U.S. NGOs, travelers should be aware that they may be targeted for kidnapping, violent attacks, or death.  U.S. citizens currently in Libya should exercise extreme caution and depart immediately.

Sporadic episodes of civil unrest have occurred throughout the country and attacks by armed groups can occur in many different areas; hotels frequented by westerners have been caught in the crossfire.  Checkpoints controlled by militias are common outside of Tripoli, and at times inside the capital.  Closures or threats of closures of international airports occur regularly, whether for maintenance, labor, or security-related incidents.

So what is the difference between Benghazi in 2011 and Libya today? Can you say Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection and his BS campaign slogan that Al-Qaeda was on the run.  A note to those that embrace being uniformed … Benghazi is in Libya.