Airport congestion troubles Japanese workers fleeing Egypt

Tokyo, Feb 2 (Kyodo) Japanese businesses are rushing toget their employees and their families out of Egypt followingPresident Hosni Mubarak''s announcement not to seek reelection,but many of them have not been able to escape from thechaotic north African state due to heavy airport congestion,the companies said on Wednesday.

Major Japanese trader Marubeni Corp said it is lookingfor ways to help its employees flee the country, as they arehaving trouble securing flights due to congestion at airports.

Meanwhile, Sojitz Corp, also a trading house, said it has notbeen able to book flights for its employees either.

Sumitomo Corp, another trader, said it has given priorityto employees with families to leave the country. But itremained unknown as of Tuesday evening whether they were ableto arrive at local airports.

Nissan Motor Corp confirmed that four of its employeeshave evacuated the country, while Hitachi Ltd is planning toget most of its 20 employees out of Egypt by the end ofWednesday.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Corp said it will be closelywatching the political situation and have its employees stayat home for a while.

Suzuki Motor Corp and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co said theyhave not decided when they would resume operations at localplants, which are temporarily suspended.

Mubarak said in a televised statement on Tuesday he willnot run for reelection in the September presidential election,after an estimated 1 million or more people rallied across thecountry demanding that he immediately step down to end his30-year rule. (Kyodo)