No explosive products in suspicious packages found at post office in Tripoli - interior ministry
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) -The Libyan interior ministry of the government of national accord stated that there was no explosive device or equipment inside the suspicious packages discovered at the headquarter of the central post office in Tripoli.
The headquarter of the post office is located in Zawiya street, in a densely populated area in the centre of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and comprises most of the relevant telecommunication sector organisations.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, the interior ministry indicated that “it has received a communication from the security services responsible for the post office, noting the existence of sealed boxes in the form of anonymous packages, raising suspicions”.
The ministry gave the assurance that it had taken the necessary security measures and sent investigators and explosives teams to the site.
“The preliminary reports indicated that there was no explosive device, explosive or explosive material inside these packages,” the statement said.
It said “the investigative bodies continued to investigate the content of these packages, pending an official statement by the ministry on the results of the incident”.
The ministry called on the media and foreign embassies not to rely on unofficial sources to assess security information but await an official statement issued by the competent and responsible authorities.
It also assured citizens and foreign residents that it “deals with all seriousness and firmness this information and takes all necessary security measures to ensure their security and protect public and private facilities”.
Meanwhile, the United States embassy in Libya Saturday warned its citizens in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, of an imminent terrorist attack on government institutions.
“The US Embassy in Libya warns of an imminent attack targeting a vital national institution in Tripoli on Saturday, March 23, 2019,” said the US embassy operating from Tunisia, on its official website.
It added: “Open sources indicate that the central post office in Zawiya street was closed after the discovery of explosive devices.
“Let's recall that dormant cells of Daech are still active in Libya after the defeat in December 2016 of this terrorist organisation in its stronghold in Sirte (Center).
“Since that date, several attacks have been carried out including operations against state buildings,” the embassy said.
The last attack was against the headquarters of the foreign affairs ministry in Tripoli on 25 December 2018, that killed 3 people and wounded 21 others.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/RA 23Mar2019
