Indonesia will evacuate the second group of Indonesians from Libya's Tripoli to Tunis of Tunisia following the worsening peace and order situation in that country, a government official said here on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.
Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters that that the second batch will be 216 citizens. "They will depart at seven o'clock Tunis time. That's the latest development we got. Meanwhile, the first group that is in Tunis right now will be returned to Indonesia tomorrow," said Natalegawa, adding that there are about 900 Indonesians in Libya.
The second evacuation would follow the first consisting of 253 evacuees.
The ministry's spokesmen Michael Tene added that the number of the second group was the latest data of Tuesday morning.
"However, as the plane will depart tonight, there is a possibility that the number will increase," Tene said.
Natalegawa also said that all Indonesians in Libya are free to make an assessment on situation and condition in the country. "Principally, we facilitate our citizens who choose to leave or stay. We provide them protection," he said.
He said that based on the reports from Indonesia's representatives in Libya, condition is still uncertain.
Natalegawa also dismissed reports that Indonesia has cut diplomatic ties with Libya. "We still have diplomatic ties with Libya. However, we keep monitoring things to make sure that our national interest is not interrupted," he said.