CAIRO: As violence continues to spread across Libya, the Egyptian Military opened the Salloum border crossing and sent reinforcements to safely evacuate Egyptian citizens. Thousands of Egyptians were waiting to be evacuated from Libya to escape the violence and unrest as reports surfaced of the death of ten Egyptians in Libya. Egypt's Foreign Ministry denied the reports, especially after the first speech by the Libyan leader's son, Seif El Islam Gaddafi, was seen as inciting anger against Egyptians and Tunisians. On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hossam Zaki, said 10,600 Egyptians have been evacuated from Libya. He added that the number includes those who started to leave late on Tuesday by land via the Salloum border crossing. Egypt's Foreign Ministry is collaborating with other agencies to create a bridge linking Benghazi in Libya and Salloum in Egypt, he added. Zaki said the ministry is also communicating with Libyan officials to get permits for two more flights to transfer Egyptians from Tripoli airport, as the Libyan Authorities do not grant permission for more than two flights per day. Zaki called on Egyptians in unsecured places to stay at home, especially at night, and to contact the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli and the consulate in Benghazi to facilitate their return to Egypt. The Egyptian community in Libya is estimated to be around two million people. BM
