Krishna wants safe return of Indians from Libya

KUWAIT CITY - Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Sunday that the government’s immediate concern was to ensure that Indians eager to leave Libya were provided all the necessary help.

The stakes are very high for India. I hope things will settle down. Our immediate focus is helping those keen to come back, Krishna told reporters on his way back from a two-day visit to Kuwait, where he attended 50th anniversary celeberations of the Gulf state.

Asked about the situation unfolding in Libya, he said that the Indian government did not intend to interfere in the internal affairs of any country.

But at the same time, we are closely watching the situation. Our immediate concern is to see that those Indians eager to come out are facilitated by the government. Those willing to stay back, we have no problems. Whatever needs to be done is being closely coordinated by the foreign secretary and the ambassador (to Libya),” he said.

The minister hoped that all the Indians in Libya will be safe.

The first two planes India sent to Libyan capital of Tripoli to evacuate its citizens from the revolt-hit north African country landed in Delhi late Saturday night and early Sunday with over 500 passengers.

Two more planes are on the Operation Safe Homecoming assignment along with three Indian Navy ships and two chartered passenger ships.

The violent uprising in Libya against the Muammar Gaddafi government has claimed over 1,000 lives.