The European Union said Thursday that it had moved its staff in Libya to Tunisia in light of the deteriorating security situation.

They would return to Tripoli "as soon as conditions allow," a spokesman for the EU's external affairs arm said.

The EU again called for an end to the violence in Libya, where fighting between rival militias for control of key installations has claimed scores of lives in the past two weeks.

"We appeal to all sides to demonstrate willingness to compromise and hope that all parties will agree to enter into an inclusive political dialogue," spokesman Michael Mann said.

The United States, Canada, France, Spain and Brazil have closed their embassies in Tripoli while several Western countries have advised their nationals to leave. About a dozen EU staff are involved in the decision, sources said.

Egypt is also helping its nationals who seek to leave the country.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.