Bangladesh closes embassy in Libya over security concerns

Bangladesh has closed its embassy in Libya over security concerns, Libyan official news agency LANA reported on Tuesday.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Tuesday in a statement that "Bangladesh has suspended diplomatic operations in Libya, and relocated its mission staff to Tunisia after escalation of hostilities," adding that Bangladeshis including migrant workers should avoid traveling there.

In March, two Bangladeshis were taken hostage by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) along with some other foreigners in Libya.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

The country is now deadlocked in a dogfight between the pro-secular army and Islamist militants, which has led to a security vacuum for homegrown extremism to brew.

Since last summer, most of the countries have already closed their missions in Libya.