New Delhi:
The first lot of Indians to be evacuated from Libya are likely to be moved out of the country on a ship on Sunday.
Around 18,000 Indians are based in Libya. Many of them work for construction companies. (Read: Press Release on evacuation of Indian nationals in Libya)
The government has hired a private cruise ship that was already in the region. It can accommodate 1200 passengers and is sailing now from Egypt to Benghazi, the centre of the revolt in Libya. Government and medical officials will be on board the ship to provide assistance.
The cruise ship, named the Scotia Prince, is expected to dock in Alexandria in Egypt by March 1. From there, the passengers will be flown to India on special Air India flights.
In a statement today, the government added, "In Tripoli the focus will be on air evacuation. Aircraft are on standby for this purpose. Libyan landing clearance is awaited and should be received soon. "
India has not decided yet whether to send a navy warship as a part of the evacuation operations.
Punj Lloyd, DS Constructions and Simplex Projects Limited are among the larger employers of Indians in Libya.
While smaller companies are keen to remove their workers, larger companies have told government officials that they'd like to wait for a week to see how the massive protests unfold. So far, Col Muammar Gaddafi has retaliated against demonstrators demanding his exit with unrestrained force.
Around 18,000 Indians are based in Libya. Many of them work for construction companies. (Read: Press Release on evacuation of Indian nationals in Libya)
The government has hired a private cruise ship that was already in the region. It can accommodate 1200 passengers and is sailing now from Egypt to Benghazi, the centre of the revolt in Libya. Government and medical officials will be on board the ship to provide assistance.
The cruise ship, named the Scotia Prince, is expected to dock in Alexandria in Egypt by March 1. From there, the passengers will be flown to India on special Air India flights.
In a statement today, the government added, "In Tripoli the focus will be on air evacuation. Aircraft are on standby for this purpose. Libyan landing clearance is awaited and should be received soon. "
India has not decided yet whether to send a navy warship as a part of the evacuation operations.
Punj Lloyd, DS Constructions and Simplex Projects Limited are among the larger employers of Indians in Libya.
While smaller companies are keen to remove their workers, larger companies have told government officials that they'd like to wait for a week to see how the massive protests unfold. So far, Col Muammar Gaddafi has retaliated against demonstrators demanding his exit with unrestrained force.
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