President Yuidhoyono asks Foreign Minister about Indonesians in Egypt

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday requested Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa about the situation of Indonesians in the conflicted Egypt, the Jakarta Post reported.

Yudhoyono called on the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta to inquire on the condition of the Indonesian citizens stranded in the North African country. Egypt has witnessed over a week of protests and clashes demanding President Hosni Mobarak to step down.

This week, a report surfaced indicating that an Indonesian woman was killed during the demonstrations in Cairo. Imanda Amalia was rumored to have died but no official confirmation has been issued. She was working for the UN Relief and Works Agency.

The Indonesian leader directed the Foreign Ministry to quickly address this case. Yudhoyono also questioned Natalegawa about the current situation of the second wave of evacuations for Indonesians.

The first wave of evacuations arrived on Wednesday at the Hajj Terminal of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. 411 Indonesians, mainly women and children, returned home aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight from Cairo.

Natalegawa said that an additional 430 Indonesians are ready to be evacuated and are scheduled to arrive to Jakarta on Friday. The group is conformed by children, women, sick individuals and Indonesian students of Al-Azhar University.

According to the Indonesian government, approximately 6,200 citizens are currently in Egypt and are expected to be evacuated during the next few days.

(BNO NEWS )