Indian embassy helps evacuate Nepalese stranded in Libya

The Indian embassy in Tripoli has helped evacuate more than 100 Nepalese nationals who were stranded in the country.

Nepal's Embassy in Cairo formally contacted the Indian Embassy in Tripoli seeking assistance in evacuation of 126 Nepalese nationals from Sirte, Libya, official sources said.

The Nepalese nationals were working there with a local company - Doosan Heavy Industry and Construction. Most of these workers had been abandoned by the company.

As per local law, any foreign national who wants to leave the country should clear all his outstanding dues to get a final exit visa.

The Indian Mission in Tripoli contacted the Libyan labour ministry as well as immigration authorities to explain the situation as well as to facilitate exit of the Nepalese nationals through the Libya-Tunis border, the sources said.

"After attaining formal permission from Libya, we shared it with the Nepalese side. Separately, our embassy sent its representatives to the Tunisian border and got a 'no objection' endorsed from the immigration in-charge at the Libyan border," they said.

The first batch of 59 of nationals crossed the border safely and has left for Kathmandu via commercial flights on Aug 14-15. The next batch is expected to leave shortly.