Tags:
Journalism of Courage
To ensure that no wrong target is hit in the air strikes by coalition forces in Tripoli,the United States is learnt to have asked India for the coordinates of its mission and the ambassadors residence so that due precaution can be taken.
While these details will be passed on,the government has authorised Indian ambassador to Libya M Manimekalai to leave Tripoli and move to a neighbouring country without waiting for prior approval.
This decision was taken after the Indian ambassador conveyed she did not think the time had come for her to close the mission and leave. Based on her assessment,the government decided that most of her staff must return while she remains there with a skeleton staff.
As of now,50 missions are functional in Tripoli. Sources said the ambassadors of India,Russia,China and Brazil are coordinating closely they are regularly briefed by Muammar Gaddafis aides. These countries abstained from the UNSC vote authorising the use of force in Libya.
With the situation still looking unpredictable in Bahrain and Yemen,sources said,the government has prepared its contingency plans for evacuating Indian citizens. These plans have been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security. It is learnt that eight aircraft,including two IL-76 aircraft of the Air Force,have been put on standby. Two Navy ships too have been put on alert.
A top-ranking US State Department official has told the Indian mission in Washington that the US appreciates Indias stand on Libya. He said that Turkey,Oman and the UAE had agreed to provide their military assets,including ships,to participate in Operation Odyssey Dawn.
