Kozhikode: Asking Indians living in Iraq to return to their homeland soon in view of the situation prevailing in Kozhikode, Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed today (Sep 4, 2004) said the Centre would do everything to facilitate their safe return.

"Our Government will facilitate the safe return of all the Indians living in Iraq," Ahamed, who headed the Crisis Management Group set up to ensure the release of three Indian hostages, told reporters in Kozhikode.

Noting that he only did his duty as a representative of the Government, Ahamed, who had received all-round appreciation for his handling of the situation to end the hostage crisis, said the Government wanted all its nationals, numbering about 5000, now living in Iraq, to return at the earliest.

Thanking all those who helped in ensuring the safe release of the three Indian hostages after a six-week-long crisis, he said India's good relations with the Arab countries and the key role played by some religious leaders and diplomats really helped a lot to deal with the situation effectively.

"The special initiative taken by religious leaders and diplomats is very important as also our good relations with the Gulf nations," Ahamed said.

Earlier, IUML supremo, Panakkad Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, complimented Ahamed, who is also the party's national general secretary, for his 'sincere efforts' that resulted in the release of Indian hostages.

Ahamed was in Kozhikode to participate in the League's meeting to decide its nominees to the State Cabinet.