S. Korea preparing to reopen embassy in Libya

SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has sent two diplomats to the Libyan capital of Tripoli to begin work toward reopening its embassy there, a senior official said Thursday, about six months after it was moved to a Tunisian island amid efforts to oust the North African nation's longtime dictator.
"Two officials were sent to Tripoli to assess security conditions as part of efforts to reopen the embassy there," the official said on the condition of anonymity.
"Based on their reports, we will decide the timing of the return of the embassy from Tunisia," the official said, reiterating that the Seoul government plans to quickly reopen the embassy.



South Korea temporarily closed its embassy in Tripoli in late May, and most staff have been moved to a Tunisian island amid escalating dangers from NATO air strikes against forces loyal to disputed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Nations around the world, including South Korea, have stepped up efforts to help Libya's interim council rebuild the strife-torn nation and maintain public order as Gadhafi's 42-year-old rule is apparently coming to an end.
Still, the security situation in the capital remains unstable. Just recently, a gang of armed robbers looted the Korean embassy and the Korean ambassador's residence in Tripoli.