New Delhi:
With the situation in Libya remaining volatile, the Government on Wednesday said it was putting in place plans for possible evacuation of 18,000 Indians.
With flight landings becoming difficult, the foreign ministry says the sea route is the safest bet. But sources say the government has not got a clearance yet.
In her latest tweet, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao indicated that India was still waiting for permission to land its aircraft and ships.
"Just spoke to our Ambassador in Tripoli. She awaits clearance for landing of our aircraft and for our ships. One ship arriving Egypt today. From Egypt access to eastern coast of Libya relatively quick and less difficult," she posted.
Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, who is also in charge of Overseas Indian Affairs, said the government is working overtime to ensure the safety of Indians.
"Our embassy is very actively involved in this discussion with the government," he said.
A private cruise ship which is near Libya has been asked to anchor there - it can carry upto a thousand passengers.
More ships may be commissioned to pick up Indians from Tripoli and Benghazi and drop them to Alexandria in Egypt, from where they will be flown back on special planes. Air India has been asked to keep aircraft ready for flights to Alexandria. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that Indians in Libya have not been asked to pay for evacuation.
The Indian government is also studying the feasibility of driving citizens from Benghazi to Alexandria.
All evacuations will be voluntary for Indians and are expected to begin in the next day or two as soon paperwork and other formalities are completed for ships to dock and collect passengers.
In a televised speech last night, Colonel Muammar el-Gaddafi threatened to track down and kill protesters "house by house."
He has been in power for four decades, and has retaliated with exceptional force to the massive protests demanding that he step down. The movement for his exit was provoked by the protests sweeping through the Arab world with fierce momentum, in countries like Egypt, Sudan, Yemen and Bahrain, where thousands of people are demanding freedom from autocratic rulers.
With flight landings becoming difficult, the foreign ministry says the sea route is the safest bet. But sources say the government has not got a clearance yet.
In her latest tweet, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao indicated that India was still waiting for permission to land its aircraft and ships.
"Just spoke to our Ambassador in Tripoli. She awaits clearance for landing of our aircraft and for our ships. One ship arriving Egypt today. From Egypt access to eastern coast of Libya relatively quick and less difficult," she posted.
Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, who is also in charge of Overseas Indian Affairs, said the government is working overtime to ensure the safety of Indians.
"Our embassy is very actively involved in this discussion with the government," he said.
A private cruise ship which is near Libya has been asked to anchor there - it can carry upto a thousand passengers.
More ships may be commissioned to pick up Indians from Tripoli and Benghazi and drop them to Alexandria in Egypt, from where they will be flown back on special planes. Air India has been asked to keep aircraft ready for flights to Alexandria. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that Indians in Libya have not been asked to pay for evacuation.
The Indian government is also studying the feasibility of driving citizens from Benghazi to Alexandria.
All evacuations will be voluntary for Indians and are expected to begin in the next day or two as soon paperwork and other formalities are completed for ships to dock and collect passengers.
In a televised speech last night, Colonel Muammar el-Gaddafi threatened to track down and kill protesters "house by house."
He has been in power for four decades, and has retaliated with exceptional force to the massive protests demanding that he step down. The movement for his exit was provoked by the protests sweeping through the Arab world with fierce momentum, in countries like Egypt, Sudan, Yemen and Bahrain, where thousands of people are demanding freedom from autocratic rulers.
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