News In Brief

3 diplomats' wives refused exit from Tripoli embassy

Libyan authorities refused Thursday to allow the wives of three British diplomats to leave the British Embassy in Tripoli, diplomatic sources said. The sources said the Libyan argument against allowing the women to leave was that Libyan diplomats in London had not yet left their mission. The Libyans fear British police might yet storm the Libyan Embassy, they said.

The detention of the three women delayed 30 British diplomats and their families gathered at their ambassador's residence, who were prepared to leave Tripoli.

Ten diplomats were still inside the embassy, surrounded by Libyan police.