Indian govt sets up committee to monitor situation in Libya

Ravi said he is in touch with Foreign Minister S M Krishna and Defence Minister A K Antony and has also spoken to the Indian Ambassador in Libya about the situation there and safety of about 18,000 Indians.

When asked whether any evacuation plan is being prepared,he said,”Nothing has been decided,but the committee will monitor any situation.”

“The government is making all preparations to meet any eventuality so that we can act immediately,” he said.

The Minister said about 18 nurses,who went from Kerala to Libya,spoke to him yesterday sharing their concerns.

India has issued an advisory asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to that country.

An official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs had said yesterday that the Indian embassy in Tripoli has set up a round-the-clock control room,which can be contacted for information and assistance.

Protesters in Libya have been demanding ouster of Gaddafi,who has been in power for 42 years. According to rights groups,security forces have reportedly killed nearly 100 anti-regime protesters in the last one week.