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900 Indians to leave Lebanon today

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July 23, 2006 01:19 IST

After evacuation of 602 Indians from Lebanon, about 900 more will be pulled out from the trouble-torn country by sea on Sunday.

Arrangements are also being made for bringing home on Sunday the mortal remains of Debesh Kumar Swain who died in an Israeli bombardment in Lebanon four days ago. Around 900 Indian nationals will be evacuated from Beirut by naval warships, four of which are positioned off the Lebanese coast for the purpose.

They would reach Cyprus on Monday, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said in New Delhi on Saturday. Two Air India planes are being sent to transport them from Cyprus to Mumbai and Chennai, it said.

Altogether 602 Indian evacuees were airlifted last night to Chennai and Mumbai from Cyprus by two Air India planes. These people were pulled out from Lebanon on Thursday and reached Larnaca in Cyprus on Friday morning.

Swain's body is also being brought via Damascus and expected to reach Bhubaneshwar on Sunday, the MOIA said.

Swain, an employee of a glass factory, had gone missing after Israeli bombardment. His body was found on Friday. Three other Indians were also injured in the incident.

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi is closely monitoring the evacuation operation.

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