The Italian government chartered a catamaran from Virtu Ferries to evacuate its embassy staff from Tripoli. 

The catamaran San Gwann left Tripoli at about 12.15pm with between 50 and 100 Italians aboard. The exact number could not be established.

It left Malta at 1am and docked in Tripoli this morning. It should be arriving in Malta at 7pm for refuelling before heading on to the port of Augusta in Sicily.