New Delhi: Setting in motion its contingency plan, government has established a Crisis Management Group (CMG) to take appropriate action in the event of a war on Iraq as Indian Embassy officials moved out of Baghdad to Amman.

The first meeting of the CMG to consider all aspects of the rapidly evolving situation was held today (March 17) under the Chairmanship of R M Abhyankar, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry and attended by representatives from the ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation.

"The CMG will meet as and when required," External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters on being asked whether it will have consultations on a day-to-day basis. "If need be, it may even meet more than once in a day," he said.

India's Ambassador to Iraq B B Tyagi left last night with other Embassy staff to Amman. The Embassy will remain functional with local staff, he said.

The spokesman said Tyagi was in close contact with the local staff at the Embassy in Baghdad.

As part of its plans, a control room is being set up in the External Affairs Ministry and will become functional very shortly to respond to queries about Indian nationals in Gulf region.

Representatives from the Petroleum and Labour ministries will take part in the next meeting of CMG, which will be making note of all updates and taking action as may be required, he said.

Of the 50-odd Indian community in Iraq who had been advised to leave the country, some have decided to stay on of their own volition. These include three Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity Group, eight charity workers in Karbala, four students in Najaf and 14 businessmen having contracts under the Oil for Food programme. Two correspondents are also stationed there.

Asked if there were plans to evacuate the large Indian expatriates in the Gulf if war breaks out, he said, "The expectation is that there is no need for the Indian community in different parts of the region to panic".

The CMG will be in constant touch with the Indian missions abroad and "react appropriately whenever the need arises", he said.

PTI