Journalists trapped in Tripoli hotel 'very anxious'

Journalists trapped at the Rixos hotel in Tripoli have warned that food and drinking water is running out as they remain stuck in the building for the fifth day.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, BBC correspondent Matthew Price claimed the situation had "deteriorated massively" overnight when "it became clear that we were unable to leave the hotel by our own free will".

"There's huge amounts of apprehension amongst the journalists stuck here in this hotel for the fifth day now, and it is desperately hard to see how we will get out at this stage.

"It's impossible to get past the guards and then to know what is in the street beyond the hotel."

He added that while sanitation "is not yet at crisis point" the situation is getting "pretty miserable".

"There have been moments when we've thought we're on the verge of getting out of here and then we've found out it's impossible," he said.

CNN reported that guests at the hotel, understood to include around 35 journalists, were forced to raid cabinets for cheese and fruit.

It also claimed that guards had said that the journalists are being kept in for their own protection. Yesterday rebel fighters managed to storm Gaddafi's compound in the city.

CNN reporter Matthew Chance, who is among the journalists inside the hotel, said so far they have been prevented from negotiating an escape.

"The concern we have now is that we seem to be in one of the few remaining patches of territory in Libya which is still controlled by Gaddafi's forces," he was quoted in the report.

"And so we're kind of very anxious about what might happen at this hotel in the hours ahead."

According to CNN the reporters are having to wear helmets and bullet proof vests during the day, while at night they are sleeping in the hallways to avoid being injured by any windows smashed by gunfire. Chance said today on Twitter that there had been "clashes" outside the hotel.

It is also reported that bed sheets have been hung from the hotel's top floor balconies with "TV" written on them, to alert outsiders to the inhabitants of the building.

CNN International managing director Tony Maddox said in a statement that the company is in regular contact with Chance, and is working closely with CNN staff on the ground in Libya to monitor the situation.
 
"As always, the safety of our journalists is of paramount importance and we will continue to do all we can to deliver coverage of the unfolding situation in Libya, while managing the risks involved."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said the situation "is deeply concerning".

"We are urgently working with international organisations and the FLF (Free Libya Forces) to identify the best way to safely move people in the Rixos as soon as is safe to do so.

"We urge the Gaddafi forces at the Rixos to allow the journalists to leave."

In a press conference today foreign secretary William Hague added that he is monitoring the situation "hour by hour".

"We’re monitoring [the situation at the Rixos] very closely, we are in touch with their news organisations. Of course we’re concerned about their safety and the safety of anyone caught up in this fighting.

"We’re also doing what we can to help through talking to the National Transitional Council although they are not yet in control of that area, and to any others who may be able to help."

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