Libya allows landing of 2 AI planes per day for 10 days

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) Libyan government has given
landing clearance for two Air India planes per day from
Saturday for evacuation of Indian nationals, Indian External
Affairs Minister S M Krishna said here in the Indian
capital Friday.
He said two flights have been given clearance to
operate by Libyan authorities for ten days.
"As per schedule informed by Air India today, two
flights per day from tomorrow to March 7 will be operated,"
the minister said.
He said the country has also requested the Libyan
government to extend the flight clearance if the evacuation
was not completed within the given time period.
India had already chartered ships to evacuate its
nationals numbering about 18,000 in strife-torn Libya and they
have set sail from Egypt. India was also considering
dispatching three warships including its largest amphibious
vessel INS Jalashwa.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement
that it has come to notice that some unscrupulous elements are
asking for payments/handling charges/facilitation fee etc.,
for arranging evacuation of Indian nationals, through the
Embassy of India in Libya.
"These activities are completely illegal and
individuals engaged in them should be immediately reported to
the law enforcement authorities," it said.
It is further emphasised that "NO payment or charge"
of any kind is being levied by the government for the
evacuation or assisted departure of any Indian national from
Libya, the ministry said.