Geneva — The International Committee of the Red Cross has pulled out of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Libya, because of deteriorating security.
The humanitarian institution said Thursday the ICRC has been transferred to the eastern city of Tobruk where it will continue to assist victims of the Libyan conflict.
The head of the ICRC mission in Libya, Simon Brooks, says the group is "extremely concerned about what will happen to civilians, the sick and wounded, detainees and others" who remain in Benghazi, which Libyan forces were closing in on Thursday.
Brooks says the Libyan Red Crescent's aid workers are still operating in and near Benghazi.
He says ICRC hopes to return there and also provide aid in the western part of the country, if security improves.
