Indonesia Evacuates Citizens from Libya

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia has evacuated 122 of its citizens living in Libya following security crisis and escalation of clashes between militia groups in that country. In its press statement received by Antara here on Thursday, the foreign ministry said the Indonesian embassies in Tripoli and Tunis have evacuated 122 Indonesians since July 29 by land via Ras Jedir to Tunis. The evacuation had been carried out in three batches, with the first on July 29 involving 34 citizens, the second on August 1 involving 51, and the third on August 3 involving 37. The ministry reported that during the evacuation of the second batch some disturbance occurred because hundreds of Egyptian nationals were seeking to enter Tunisia. However, the Indonesians could finally enter Tunisia with security protection arranged by the Indonesian embassies in Tripoli and Tunis. During the evacuation of the third batch, Indonesian ambassador to Tripoli Raudin Anwar joined to ensure a smooth process along with Libyan and Tunisian immigration officials. Of the total 122 citizens evacuated from Libya, 66 had already returned home, while the rest are still being sheltered at the Indonesian embassy in Tunis awaiting their dispatch to Indonesia. "The Indonesian embassy in Tripoli will keep monitoring and contacting its citizens still in Libya and appeal to them to leave the country immediately," the ministry added. The Indonesian embassy in Tripoli had provided telephone numbers to citizens who wished to join in the next evacuation process. (*) Reported by Imam Santoso