Thursday, July 20 2006 10:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the situation in Lebanon becoming increasingly dangerous, about 100 Indians have been evacuated out of the country and over 1,000 others gathered yesterday (July 19, 2006) at Beirut jetty to be moved out by four Indian warships which sailed into the harbour.

Besides preparing to evacuate all its willing nationals, India will also be shifting out Sri Lankans and Nepalese on request from these countries. There are an estimated one lakh Sri Lankans and Nepelese nationals in Lebanon.

Of the estimated 12,000 Indians living in Lebanon, at least 100 people have reached Damascus by road, facilitated by the Indian Embassy in Beirut, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

"It is an evolving situation. Hostilities are taking place and naturally it is a dangerous place," he said.

An advisory has been issued for all the Indians living in Lebanon asking them to be ready to leave.

The government is facilitating evacuation of those who want to move out, he pointed out. On the issue of others who may not prefer to leave Lebanon, Sarna said it depends on the perception of different people of the situation.

Over 1,000 Indians assembled at the jetty as four Indian warships INS Mumbai, INS Betwa, INS Brahmaputra and auxillary tanker INS Shakti, anchored overnight off the Lebanese coast, moved into the port to pull out the anxious Indian nationals and shift them to camps in Larnaca in Cyprus, Navy sources said here.

"The Israelis, who have mounted a sea and air blockade of the Lebanese capital, have allowed the Indian warships to berth at the jetty to evacuate the stranded Indians", they said.