The North African nation were banned from hosting matches by FIFA in 2011 in the aftermath of the civil war which saw the toppling of Colonel Gaddafi's regime, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) lifted the ban in March, and FIFA made the same decision a month later.

Libya hosted their first match since their 1-0 win over Zambia in October 2010 last wee k- a 0-0 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Tripoli - but their next opponents, Togo, have seen two of their players withdraw from the squad so far over safety fears.

The football world was rocked in January 2010 when the Togolese national team came under a terrorist gunfire attack on their team bus in Angola on their way to the Africa Cup of Nations, which resulted in the deaths of the bus driver, the team's assistant manager and the press officer, as well as serious injuries to multiple players.

There were multiple deaths and injuries on the Togolese national team bus that came under terrorist attack in Angola in 2010. 

And two of the players that were a part of this squad have withdrawn from the squad that will play in Benghazi this Friday over fears for their own safety.

French-born Olympique Marseille midfielder Alaixys Romao announced his withdrawal from the squad via Twitter, citing the shooting incident from 2010 as a major factor in his decision.

"I'm about to take off from Lome [Togolese capital] to come back to France," he wrote.

"After having been through a traumatising experience in 2010 at the African Nations Cup in Angola I don't want my family to live with that stress again."

The 29-year-old, who has been capped on 50 occasions for his country, also appeared to criticise FIFA's decision to allow matches to be played in the nation.

"Tripoli or Benghazi, what's the difference?" he continued.

"I will change my mind only if FIFA's officials who have made the decision come with us."

Romao's fellow French-born team-mate, FC Nantes striker Serge Gakpé took a similar view on the matter, releasing a statement announcing his withdrawal from the squad to his fans on Facebook.

More than 30 people died in Benghazi over the weekend after clashes between former rebels and anti-militia protestors

"Due to breaking news and recent events that have unfolded in Libya, the movement in this country seems to me unconscious and above all very dangerous.

"I do not want to relive what happened in 2010.

"You [FIFA] want to send us play in Benghazi, where 30 people died this weekend.

"I love my country, I love my jersey, but there are things that are more important than football, and I do not want to do that to my family.

"I just hope that FIFA will do the necessary so that this game can be played in a calm atmosphere"

Libya are currently top of their qualifying group for next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and have their sights set firmly on achieving their first ever appearance at a World Cup Finals.

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