After three days stuck in port in the Libyan capital, a ferry full of Americans and other foreigners finally departed Friday. The Maria Dolores ferry left Tripoli’s As-shahab port, navigating treacherous waters on an eight-hour trip to Malta, Italy. At least 167 U.S. citizens and 118 other foreigners were trapped onboard the ship since Wednesday, as the choppy seas prevented the ship from embarking on its journey. “More than 300 passengers are on board the U.S.-chartered ferry from Libya to Malta," U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in a tweet. "Additional passengers were added before departure." Tens of thousands of foreigners are trying to flee Libya because of the violent protests that have engulfed the country.
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