"The process is still going on. The situation is still uncertain. So, it`s hard to imagine (the condition). However, we continue the process (of evacuation)," Silalahi told the press at the State Secretariat building here Tuesday.
The uncertain situation similar to what had happened in Indonesia during the early reform era in 1998, is occurring in Egypt at present and the government is trying to carry out evacuation of its citizens, according to Silalahi.
Indonesia plans to evacuate its citizens living in Egypt following recent turmoil in that country.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meanwhile said on Monday (Jan 31) that the evacuation process of the citizens in Egypt would involve military elements to assure security and smoothness of the operation.
"The military, the TNI, will be involved. Not only TNI but all elements will be involved so that air evacuation could be carried out," he said at his office.
President Yudhoyono give the directives after leading a limited meeting on the handling of citizens in Egypt. When given the explanation President Yudhoyono was flanked by several ministers including defense minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and TNI commander Admiral Agus Suhartono.
President Yudhoyono said a special task force had been set up to implement the evacuation, led by a member of the president`s advisory council, Hasan Wirajuda, who is also former foreign minister and ambassador to Egypt.
Foreign minister Marty Natalegawa meanwhile said one plane had been ready to leave take home citizens in Egypt. He said the government still had yet to cooperate with the Egyptian government with regard to landing permit for the plane.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
