Australia boosts aid to Libya

The federal government has boosted the level of aid to the International Red Cross to assist the people of Libya.
Acting Foreign Minister Craig Emerson was poised to announce an additional contribution of $4.6 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross at a meeting on Libya in Paris on Thursday night.
The money was assigned from Australia's existing aid budget, boosting the total assistance to the crisis in Libya, where rebel troops have seized control from the Gaddafi regime, to $41.1 million.
"With this assistance, the Red Cross will provide urgent medical assistance in conflict areas, as well as food and water in Tripoli," Dr Emerson said.
"It will also contribute to the removal of explosive ordnance and unexploded devices from civilian areas so people can return home safely."
Australian aid funding had enabled food, shelter, water and medical care to be delivered quickly, Dr Emerson said.
Australia had also supported the sea evacuation of more than 2000 people from Misrata by the International Organisation for Migration in May, when the city was being shelled.