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Ferry Transporting US Citizens Leaves Libya


German Navy Ship "Berlin" arrives at the harbor in Valletta, Malta, February 25, 2011
German Navy Ship "Berlin" arrives at the harbor in Valletta, Malta, February 25, 2011

Foreigners in Libya continue fleeing by land, air and sea to evacuate the country in the wake of growing anti-government unrest.

A ferry carrying 167 U.S. citizens and 118 other foreigners finally left Tripoli for Malta on Friday. The voyage had been delayed for two days because of bad weather.

Italy has two ships off the Libyan coast near the city of Misrata but rough seas on Friday hampered efforts for the ships to dock.

Britain says it is sending a second military ship to Libya to help with rescue efforts. A British naval vessel carrying evacuees sailed from the city of Benghazi on Thursday en route to Malta.

China is continuing its efforts Friday to evacuate thousands of its citizens from Libya. The Associated Press says China has dispatched a naval ship to support the effort. On Thursday, ferries carrying at least 4,000 Chinese evacuees arrived in Turkey.

Other countries are also coordinating air, land and sea transportation in efforts to move out their nationals. Thousands have been evacuated in chaotic circumstances this week, with many waiting for days for relief.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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