European Countries Warn of "Imminent Threat" in Benghazi

Germany and Netherlands join England in urging their citizens to leave

Days after the deadly hostage crisis in Algeria, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands on Thursday warned of an imminent threat to Westerners in neighboring Libya and urged their citizens to leave the eastern city of Benghazi.

The warnings, issued by the foreign ministries of the three countries, did not elaborate on the precise nature of the threat, nor was it clear how many expatriates might be affected. Benghazi is Libya's second-biggest city, where an attack on the United States diplomatic compound in September killed four Americans including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. Earlier this month Italy closed its consulate in Benghazi after an attempted ambush of its consul as he was driving through the city.