Libya - is it safe?
 

Hi guys,

I tried to find some information about current conditions of Libya, but I'm not very orientated in working of search engine and I haven't found anything special on pprune yet. Nevertheless I'm looking for some contacts with people who have been in Libya. In general I was offered a job on twin engine plane carrying people between some cities in this state. Accommodation is included in some secured camp in Tripoli suburbs. But I am a little bit afraid of this completely foreign country, as I have almost no contacts or informations about political situation and conditions in general. May any of you give me any simple information about country, people, flying in IFR as well as in VFR? Any contacts to people living in Libya? Any treats? Thanks for help.

Now is not a great time.

I know of a long time Libya guy who left 6 or 8 month back and I don't think it's gotten better since. Did you read about the US schoolteacher shot dead in Benghazi?
You could call Medavis in Malta and talk to someont there, they fly into Libya I think so they should have updated info.
Can you ask the people who want to hire you if you could talk to the last pilot who flew the aircraft.
Personally I would go right now and I spent some time there a few yrs back.

You might want to sent a PM to "Sam Rutherford" (use the forum search), he has done some research into the topic for the historic "Capetown to Goodwood" flight that going across Africa at the moment. I am sure he can help you with some good insight.

We're skipping Libya - the risks (whilst not enormous) certainly exceed our need to go there.

There is little to no threat air-ground. The risk is on the ground, both indirect (wrong place, wrong time) and direct (greater as you become more 'valuable').

I would research carefully the ground security arrangements - but it must be said that 'odds are' you'll be absolutely fine. Great people and a beautiful country.

If it counts for anything, my employer deems Tripoli to be too unsafe to allow us to nightstop there. I used to live in Benghazi for nearly a year back in 2009 and I spent a bit of time in Tripoli as well. I recently flew back to Tripoli a few weeks ago for the first time since 2009 and the banks were on strike after nearly a week and ATC were 'working to rule' with only letting one aircraft depart Tripoli every 15 mins. Very little progress has been made since Gaddafi was removed from power.

The biggest threat is the security situation but I must stress that all the Libyans I have come across in my time are kind decent people and they pose no threat. Tripoli seems to be the safest place to be in the country but I am sure the situation could change quickly. Gaddafi's strong grip on security gave Islamist groups little room to develop and grow but this is no longer the case in the south of the country at least. Borders are porous and there is a lot of excess firepower from the old military kicking about. The situation could and does change quickly.

If you are out of work and need money and will be staying in Tripoli and not overnighting anywhere else in Libya then it might be a useful stopgap to keep you employed. I would not however leave a job to move there.

Hello Mr. Geezer, could you please PM me?

After reading all your responds conclusion is that there are better places in the world to live, but it might be safe if special precautions are kept. Unfortunately my would-be employer can not guarantee 24/7 security and he even said that sometimes I would stay in local hotel for night if there was no free place in secure camp. I should expect some night stops in the south part of Libya in the area of Awbari. He also admitted that I would have to buy food for myself, because there are only dinners included between Mon and Fri. Finally, I have other opportunity in my country so I decided not to go. I would love to experience such an adventure and meet completely new, interesting culture but through all the time safety was the most important consideration. Nevertheless I would like to thank you for advises and wish you merry Christmas and all the best in 2014!

Kind regards,
M

I think your decision to not go is a very prudent one. At this point in time Lybia and safety are an oxymoron. Merry Christmas to you too.

Good move for now. Better things will come your way.