New Delhi: India has asked its mission in Libya to take up with the Libyan government the ban imposed by it on travel to and from India, which has affected over 600 Indians so far on the ground that they were coming from a country, which has prevalence of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

In a message, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has directed its Ambassador in Tripoli to "take up the matter appropriately with the concerned Libyan officials".

"This ban, unless revoked soon, would hurt the prospects of bilateral cooperation which had emerged from the mutually beneficial last session of Indo-Libyan joint commission," the Ministry said.

"This blanket ban is beginning to cause problems for a number of Indian workers currently in Libya on annual leave. The total number of Indians so far affected is approximately 600.

This number is in addition to other Indian business travellers to Libya. Similarly, Libyans desirous of travelling to India are also forbidden to come here," the MEA said.

Pointing out that even the WHO (World Health Organisation) does not include India in a country where SARS was prevalent; it said Libya was perhaps the only country, which has put a blanket ban on travel to and from India.

The matter was taken up by the MEA after National Commission for Minorities (NCM) chairman complained that about 500 persons who came on leave from Libya having valid permit were not allowed to enter that country because of the ban imposed by the Libyan government.

PTI