Foreign journalists in Tripoli forbidden to leave their hotel

Foreign journalists in Tripoli who wanted to cover the street protests taking place there were forbidden to leave their hotels unless they had permission. Security agents blocked attempts by reporters to leaving the Rixos Hotel (located to the south of the centre), which was being used to house many of the journalists who were invited by the government. Threatening to arrest all those who went out without permission, government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said the presence of journalists on the street could provoke violence.