Amid violent clashes that broke out in southern Libya over the weekend, which resulted in five casualties and 33 injuries, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) posted an advisory on social media calling for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed to the north African nation to take precautions.

“DFA has requested members of the Filipino Community in Tripoli to take all precautionary measures, stay indoors, and avoid unnecessary movements in view of ongoing heavy fighting,” the agency stated in a release.

Embassy officials also reported flight interruptions at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport, along with road closures.

According to the DFA, there are an estimated 3,500 OFWs currently operating in Libya.

Following the weekend fighting, Libyan Interior Minister Abdulsalam Ashour has since called for a ceasefire between government forces and local militia.

The country has been embroiled in unrest since Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and subsequently killed in 2011./WDJ