'17 coordinators appointed to help Indians leave Libya,' says Sushma as death toll rises to 264 in Tripoli

Last week, she had called upon relatives of Indians residing in Tripoli to ask them to leave the Libyan capital immediately, saying the situation there was fast deteriorating.

A fighter loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) fires his gun during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar south of the capital Tripoli's suburb of Ain Zara, on April 23, 2019. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP)

New Delhi: Seventeen coordinators have been appointed by the Indian government to expedite the evacuation of India  nationals stuck in Libya  after the Eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive on the capital on April 4, as his self-styled Libyan National Army pledged "to purge the west of terrorists and mercenaries". The Indian mission to Libya is helping them with exit visa even in cases when their visa has expired, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday. "We have appointed 17 Coordinators to help Indians leaving Libya. Indian Embassy is helping them with Exit Visa even in cases where their visa has expired. Presently, the airport is operational. Please avail of this opportunity," Swaraj tweeted. The assurance from the EAm comes amid a raging conflict in Libya. Last week, she had called upon relatives of Indians residing in Tripoli to ask them to leave the Libyan capital immediately, saying the situation there was fast deteriorating. She had said there were over 500 Indians in Tripoli even after massive evacuation from Libya and the travel ban. The World Health Organization (WHO) has saidthat 264 people have been killed and over 1200 others injured in the fighting between the UN-backed Libyan government and the east-based Army in and around Tripoli. The Army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Tripoli where the UN-backed government is based. India earlier evacuated its entire contingent of 15 Central Reserve Police Force personnel deployed in Tripoli.