UNHCR has said its operations in Libya are still ongoing and its assistance to refugees remains the same despite suspending work at the Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF) in Tripoli, "fearing for the safety and protection of people at the facility, its staff and partners amid worsening conflict in Tripoli, Libya".

"We stay in Libya and we remain engaged. We remain committed to supporting refugees, asylum seekers, displaced in Libya." UNHCR Libya’s head of mission, Jean-Paul Cavalieri said on Facebook.

The mission said on last Thursday that it was left with no choice but to suspend work at the Gathering and Departure Facility in Tripoli after learning that training exercises, involving police and military personnel, were taking place just a few meters away from units housing asylum seekers and refugees.

"We fear that the entire area could become a military target, further endangering the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and other civilians. UNHCR has started moving dozens of highly vulnerable refugees, who have already been identified for resettlement or evacuation to third countries, from the facility to safer locations". UNHCR explained.