India closely monitoring 'obviously bad situation' in Libya: Krishna

Onboard Special Aircraft, Feb.25 (ANI): Admitting that the situation in Libya was "obviously bad", External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday said India is closely monitoring events in North Africa as also in some Arab countries.

Interacting with media onboard a special aircraft while making his way to Kuwait, Krishna said two aircraft would be reaching Libyan capital Tripoli today to evacuate Indians. He said they would be taken to the Egyptian city of Alexandria from where other arangments would be made to bring them back home.

Krishna who is visiting Kuwait to attend that country's national day celebrations, said New Delhi is also deploying ships for the evacuation of about 18000 Indians from Libya.

He did not accept the view that the government has delayed moves to evacuate Indian nationals from Libya.

"I don't think so.Since we have to get permission from Libyan authorities and, without their permission, no aircraft could be landed on their soil," Krishna said.

India, he said, has already issued a travel advisory and an alert with regard to the prevailing situation in Libya. He added that the Government of India doesn't charge anything for evacuating stranded Indians. He said people should be wary of those exploiting the situation. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)