India asks its nationals to leave Libya

Amidst spiralling violence in Libya, India's mission in Tripoli on Monday advised all its nationals to leave the strife-torn country using all available means and not to travel to that country.

"In view of the current security situation in Libya, all Indian nationals are advised to move to safer places and avoid all conflict zones. They are further advised to use all available means for exiting Libya. All travel from India to Libya should be postponed till the situation improves," the advisory said.

Referring to increasing incidents of violence, it also said all Indians should avoid the conflict zones in Tripoli and Benghazi and move to safer locations immediately.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh government wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking Centre's intervention to evacuate people from the state who are working in the North African country.

"I request that suitable instructions may be issued to the Indian Embassy to interfere and provide all necessary aid in terms of food, clothing and shelter to Andhra Pradesh migrants and also to arrange to bring them back," AP's Special Representative, K Rama Mohana Rao, said in a letter to Swaraj.

Prior to the uprising in Libya, the number of Indians engaged there was estimated to be more than 18,000.

The Indian professionals were mainly employed in hospitals and other teaching institutions whereas a major part of manpower was engaged in construction projects. During the course of revolution, most of them were evacuated to India in February/March 2011.

Few hundred Indians continued to serve in Libya even during the revolution period. Gradually more Indians have returned to Libya and presently there are about 6000 Indians engaged there.

The demand of medical professionals and nurses in Libya is growing. Owing to the uncertain situation, recently the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs suspended grant of emigration clearance to ECR category till June 30, 2014.

Photograph: Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters