Abu Dhabi: With US military action against Iraq almost certain, the 50 Indians in Baghdad, including Embassy staff, have left the country.

The Indian Ambassador B B Tyagi reached Amman by road late March 16 night.

"There are no Indian staff now in the Indian Embassy in Baghdad. Except for some 12 Indian businessmen from the private sector, the rest have left the country" Tyagi said on phone from Amman.

"Some of them may have left yesterday and the rest were to leave soon. Fifteen Indian students studying Arabic at the Saddam University had also left except for one who was undecided," he said.

"The Embassy will be open and managed by the seven local Iraqi staff still working there," Tyagi said, adding he will continue to remain at Amman for the time being.

The Indians there do not need any help from the Embassy and have documents to leave at any time, Tyagi, who along with his first secretary were staying in a hotel in Amman, said.

The Indian Ambassador in Jordan Venkataraman said his Embassy will be working as usual.

Travel alerts have been issued by the US warning American citizens against travelling to Gulf countries.

However, several American companies, including Boeing, were participating at the four-day sixth International Defence Exposition being held in Abu Dhabi from March 16.

PTI