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STORY: The United States evacuated its embassy in Libya on Saturday (July 26), driving its staff under heavy military guard across the border to Tunisia because of escalating clashes between rival militias in Tripoli, the U.S. State Department said.
"We are suspending our current diplomatic activities at the embassy, not closing the embassy, but suspending the activities," Secretary of State John Kerry said while attending a Gaza conference in Paris.
Security in the Libyan capital has deteriorated following two weeks of fighting between brigades of former rebel fighters who have exchanged rocket, cannon and artillery fire in southern Tripoli near the embassy compound.
The United Nations has already pulled its staff out of the North African state, and Turkey has suspended its embassy operations because of the violence in Tripoli.
The State Department spokeswoman said staff would return to Tripoli once it was deemed safe. Un
