Indians in Libya safe but avoid non-essential travel: Govt

New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI) India today said all its 18,000nationals in Libya are safe but issued an advisory askingcitizens to avoid non-essential travel to that country whichis being rocked by unprecedented protests against the MoammarGadhafi regime that reportedly left nearly 100 people dead.

"All Indians, numbering around 18,000, are safe in Libya.

We are following the situation closely. Presently,disturbances have mainly been reported in north-eastern regionof Benghazi, Derna, Baida and Turbuk," the officialspokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

He said in view of the prevailing situation, Indiannationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Libya,for the present.

He also said the Indian embassy in Tripoli has set up around-the-clock control room, which can be contacted forinformation 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.