The government has chartered a passenger ferry with a capacity of 1200 seats to evacuate Indians in Libya. The ship “Scotia Prince” is already in Egypt and is getting ready to sail to Benghazi from where initially the evacuation operations will begin. Medical teams as well as officials of the External Affairs Ministry will be on board to assist the evacuees. The Ship is expected to reach Benghazi by Sunday and bring back at least 1200 persons to Alexandria in Egypt by Tuesday. Aircraft are also on standby for evacuation by air from Tripoli. Government is awaiting landing clearance by Libya and it is expected soon. The government decided to immediately start evacuation operations in view of the sharp and unprecedented deterioration in the situation inside Libya. Preparations are also afoot for evacuation of Indian nationals from the cities in the interior where access is possible subject to Libyan clearance. Round-the-clock situation rooms are already functioning in MEA and Indian Mission in Tripoli . The Indian Embassies in Egypt and Tunisia are also alert to the situation and extending all assistance.