More Indonesians evacuated from Libya

Tuesday, 1 Mart 2011

ANTARA News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - More than 216 Indonesian citizens in Libya will be evacuated from Tripoli International Airport to Tunisia on Tuesday at 07.00 pm local time, said Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

"About 216 of our citizens will be flown out of Libya at 07.00 pm local time and be temporarily sheltered in Tunisia," he said here Tuesday

He said the Indonesia government would facilitate the repatriation of Indonesians from Libya but those who preferred to stay there would still get protection from the Indonesian Embassy to Libya.

"We provide all the things needed by Indonesian citizens who want to be evacuated from Libya, however, those who still want to stay there will also be protected through our embassy there," said Marty.

He added people who wanted to stay in Libya might have their reasons like waiting for a more conducive situation in the country.

Moreover, he asked all Indonesian citizens in Libya to always be extra careful amid the chaotic situation in the country.

"The Indonesian government has again reminded all Indonesian people who are still in Libya to be extra watchful in the present situation in the country, as much as possible they must stay away from demonstrations while the evacuation process will continue," he said.

In the meantime, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said that the number of Indonesian citizens who would be evacuated from Libya to Tunis might increase.

"Until now, there are 216 Indonesians who have registered to be evacuated, however the registration process is still ongoing and the number of evacuees is expected to increase," Tene said.

About rumors that Indonesia had cut its ties with Libya, Marty said this was not true, adding that Indonesia was maintaining its diplomatic relationship with Libya.

"Indonesia carries on its diplomatic relationship with Libya and keeps monitoring the situation there to ensure that our relations are not disturbed by the Libya crisis," he said.

Meanwhile, he added, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had sent a letter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary General conveying Indonesia`s concerns on the Libya crisis.

"The chaos in Libya happened because of the authoritarian administration system which was maintained by certain individuals at the expense of the people. So that the UN must take action to protect the civilians, either domestic people or foreigners," he said.