Govt sets up committee to monitor situation in Libya

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) The Government today said ithas set up a committee to monitor the situation in Libya andprepare plans to meet any eventuality in wake of theunprecedented protest there against the Moammar Gadhafiregime.

"The committee would comprise Foreign Secretary andOverseas Indian Affairs Secretary among others. This committeewould be planning to meet any eventuality," said OverseasIndian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

Ravi said he is in touch with Foreign Minister S MKrishna and Defence Minister A K Antony and has also spoken tothe Indian Ambassador in Libya about the situation there andsafety of about 18,000 Indians.

When asked whether any evacuation plan is beingprepared, he said, "Nothing has been decided, but thecommittee will monitor any situation."

"Government is making all preparations to meet anyeventuality so that we can act immediately," he said.

The Minister said about 18 nurses, who went fromKerala to Libya, spoke to him yesterday sharing theirconcerns.

India has issued an advisory asking citizens to avoidnon-essential travel to that country.

An official spokesperson of the Ministry of ExternalAffairs had said yesterday that the Indian embassy in Tripolihas set up a round-the-clock control room, which can becontacted for information and assistance.

Protesters in Libya have been demanding ouster ofGadhafi, who has been in power for 42 years. According torights groups, security forces have reportedly killed nearly100 anti-regime protesters in the last one week.