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49 Indians evacuated from Beirut; Indian peacekeeping soldier injured
(KUNA) -- As many as forty-nine Indians were Monday evacuated from Beirut and an Indian soldier with the UN peacekeeping force was injured following tensions in Lebanon. There were no plans to move out the 600 Indian troops by India as the UN would have to take this decision, Indian Foreign Ministry officials told reporters Monday in Delhi. The Indians were taken in two buses to Damascus, the officials said.Nearly 12,000 Indians living in Lebanon have been advised to contact the Indian embassy in Beirut so that arrangements can be made to move them to safety, the officials added. Indian Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi convened a meeting of senior officials Monday evening in Delhi to discuss contingency plans to ensure the safety of Indians living in Lebanon. The Indian soldier had minor injuries, the officials said. "The Indian soldiers are under the UN flag. Any decision on whether they stay, should be re-deployed or should be pulled out will be taken at the UN headquarters based on the assessment of the UN commander on the ground," the officials added. Posted by: Fred 2006-07-18 |
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