700 Indians evacuated in biggest opertion in current crisis

New Delhi, Jul 20 (UNI) In one of the largest single evacuation exercises during the eight day old West Asian crisis, 700 Indian nationals were taken to Beirut port today to be transported by naval ship INS Mumbai to Larnaca in Cyprus from where they will be airlifted to India tomorrow.

The evacuation follows the Advisory issued by India to all its nationals in Lebanon to contact the Indian embassy in Beirut in view of the evolving situation in Lebanon, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

About 1000 Indian nationals had contacted the Embassy for assistance to leave Lebanon and most of them ae leaving by INS Mumbai.

''Today's evacuation by INS Mumbai is one of the largest single evacuation operations from Lebanon carried out during the current crisis,'' the spokesman said.

The INS Mumbai is scheduled to reach Larnaca tomorrow morning and the Indian High Commission in Nicosia, in consultation with the Cyprus authorities, has made elaborate arrangements for the evacuated Indian nationals to be moved from the port to the airport from where Air India aircraft will bring them back to India.

The spokesman said the Indian embassy in Beirut continues to receive requests for evacuation from Indian nationals and is processing them in consultation with the local authorities.

The evacuation operation would continue in the coming days as required, he added.

Tomorrow, the Indian navy will press into service INS Brahmputra for evacuating more people.

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