The Corinthia Group yesterday said it had evacuated a number of employees and their families who were working in its Libyan properties, including the Corinthia Hotel Tripoli and Palm City Residences.

The employees, of various nationalities, were brought to Malta by air and sea, through coordination by a taskforce set up at Corinthia’s head office in Malta.

However, both the hotel and residences have remained operational, the group said. No more details as to the nationalities and number of employees left running the business were forthcoming.

“Corinthia continues to maintain constant communication with a nucleus of personnel who are continuing to manage our interests in Libya professionally and as appropriate under the circumstances,” it said.

In its press release, the group added it had also been supplying catering to various commercial vessels docked in Tripoli harbour awaiting weather conditions to improve before departing for Malta.

Hundreds of expatriates spent long hours on board the Maltese catamarans as well as other vessels awaiting departure.

The group thanked the Maltese embassy in Tripoli, the Maltese authorities and the international teams for their support over the past few days, including the coordination of evacuation ferries and air lifts, as well as the issuing of visas.

Meanwhile, subsidiary company Mediterranean Investments Holding plc, in a statement to the Stock Exchange on Friday, said Palm City Residences remained operational, albeit with a reduced number of personnel given the temporary relocation of a number of the tenants.

To date, no contracts have been terminated and MIH confirmed that the existing 282 signed contracts are still in full effect, most of which are paid for 12 months in advance.