UN refugee agency says it is being expelled from Libya without explanation

UN refugee agency says being expelled from Libya

GENEVA — The U.N. refugee agency says it is being expelled from Libya without explanation.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says it received a note from Libyan authorities ordering it to close its office.

UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming says the agency, which has worked in Libya since 1991, is still trying to negotiate with Libya to try to stay there. She said Tuesday that Libyan authorities have given no reason for the expulsion.

Libyan authorities in Geneva would not comment on the situation.

Libya does not have a national asylum system. UNHCR screens asylum seekers in Libya and determines if they qualify for refugee status. It has 26 staff in Libya, mostly local employees.