Two-thirds of Indians in Libya pulled out: External affairs ministry

With another 1,400 Indian nationals having been been flown out of Libya in the preceding 24 hours, the total number of Indian evacuees has crossed 12,000, which is more than two-thirds of the country's population in the strife-torne country.

MV Red Star One returned to Malta from Misurata with all the 301 Indians desirous of leaving Libya and the passengers returned to India last night on special Jet Airways and Kingfisher flights, the ministry of external affairs said in Delhi today.

Giving an update on the evacuation process taken up since February 26, the ministry said MV Red Star One would again sail for Sirte (Libya) and is expected to evacuate 600 persons to Malta.

"Presently, we have 1,600 of our nationals in Sirte, many of who may be heading for Tripoli by road for being air lifted from there," it said.

The ministry said the arrival of MV Scotia Prince, which was on its way back to Alexandria, Egypt, with 972 persons from Benghazi (Libya) on board, has been delayed due to some engine trouble and is now expected to reach tomorrow evening. All passengers will be flown back to India on three Egypt Air and an IL-76 flights March 9.