Diplomats, journalists flee from Libya into Tunisia
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Xinhua, March 22, 2011
Fleeing the violent turmoil in Libya, several diplomats and journalists crossed into Tunisia through Ras El Jedir on Monday, reported the official press agency TAP.
Alongside several hundred of refugees, a number of diplomatic vehicles crossed the border into Tunisia. Among the diplomats were the ambassadors of Russia and Indonesia, as well as the staff of the Philippines consular mission in Libya.
The diplomats later headed for the Djerba-Zarzis International airport where they could fly home.
Moreover, four journalists from the New York Times who were recently released by Libyan authorities also entered the Tunisian border crossing point of Ras El Jedir on Monday, TAP reported, adding the journalists were freed and handed over to the Turkish embassy in Tripoli following a Turkish diplomatic initiative.
On Monday, some 927 people crossed the border into Tunisia. The majority of the refugees were Libyans, followed by a number of Bangladeshis, Sudanese and Egyptians.
In spite of the relative stability currently prevailing at the Ras El Jedir border crossing point, Tunisian medical authorities are preparing for an eventual emergency situation due to the volatility of the situation in Libya.
According to TAP, as of March 19, some 165,016 refugees have crossed the Tunisian-Libyan border point and 108,787 have already been repatriated.
