With the violent situation in libya still not improving, a few libyan companies have agreed to send back 450 Indian workers on their own cost. India has asked its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible from the nearest exit route.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review Indian efforts in libya. It was decided to send a Joint Secretary-level officer to facilitate the return of Indians. The Indian Mission in libya is working with other agencies in the country to ensure that all Indians leave their places of work.
The Indian Ambassador in libya has obtained permissions for the departure of Indian nationals from libya from its Ministry of labour since one needs an exit permit to leave the country. The Government will also work out a way if contractual obligations come as hindrance for the departure of Indian workers.
“Our Mission will work to ensure that there is an expeditious movement of people from libya if they want to return. Tickets are being purchased for those Indian nationals who have shown interest in returning. At this stage, we have confirmation of 58 nurses who would like to return to India. Options are being looked at for the move of Indian nationals in eastern part of libya— Benghazi and the other side —to return to India,” said Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs. The first batch of Indians will start returning by the weekend.