Bishop of Tripoli says Libyans fleeing the war

(May 10, 2011) The Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli has said that the people of Libya are afraid of the war and every day thousands of people leave for Egypt and Tunisia, where refugee camps have been set up. Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli told AsiaNews that on Monday more than 30 thousand people fled to Tunisia. According to the prelate, after the meeting of the Contact Group for Libya last May 5, the situation has not changed, people are still afraid and want to leave. He said since the beginning of “Odessey Dawn” over 600 thousand Libyans have fled across the borders.
Bishop Martinelli spoke to AsiaNews only hours after a series of NATO air strikes that have caused incalculable damage. He said "We still hear the airplanes passing over the city and dropping bombs in the surrounding areas “ The prelate once again called on NATO to immediately sign a ceasefire and open negotiations with the Libyan government, before the situation reaches an irreversible point. Bishop Martinelli said despite the hardships caused by the war like the rationing of food and gasoline, the life of the small Catholic community in the capital continues. He said “every Friday, Saturday and Sunday many still faithful take part in the services, especially the Philippines and sub-Saharan Africans, who are a great testimony of faith and charity in this difficult time."