Libya unrest: India begins evacuation

India today started evacuation of its citizens from strife-torn Libya. India has been allowed by Libya to fly in special planes to Tripoli to collect Indian citizens, who want to return to their country. . Currently 18,000 Indians are in Libya. India is also sending ships to Bengazi to evacuate Indian citizens. From today till March 7, India can land two planes a day in Tripoli for its evacuation operations. Ministry of External Affairs personnel and a medical team will be on board to assist the evacuees. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the MEA "Evacuation is being arranged by sea and air." Ships are expected to reach Benghazi by the February 27 to evacuate Indian citizens to Alexandria, from where they will be brought back to India by special Air India flights. "In Tripoli the focus will be on air evacuation. Aircrafts are on standby for this purpose. Libyan landing clearance is awaited. Preparations are also in hand for evacuation of the nationals from cities where air access is possible subject to Libyan clearance", the statement said. According to the MEA, Indian companies, working in Libya for decades have also offered to work with the Indian Embassy in Tripoli to facilitate the evacuation. The statement said that the MEA is coordinating closely with other Ministries, including Defence, Overseas Indian affairs and Shipping in making evacuation arrangements. (ANI) SEARCH