"The Indonesian embassy in Damascus is accommodating 150 Indonesian citizens today. Many more will be arriving at the embassy for evacuation to Beirut," said the spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Wendi Budi Raharji, when contacted by Antara journalist Munawar Makyanie from Cairo on Saturday.
Wendi said the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus evacuated Indonesians from war-torn Syria to Lebanon, after which they will be flown to Indonesia.
Further, the Associated Press reported that the UN experts investigating last week`s alleged chemical weapons strike outside Damascus left Syria early Saturday and crossed into neighboring Lebanon, departing hours after President Barack Obama said he is weighing "limited and narrow" action against a Syrian regime that the administration has bluntly accused of launching the deadly attack.
Meanwhile, Associated Press staff reported seeing the UN personnel enter Lebanon from Syria at the Masnaa border crossing and then drive in a 13-car convoy to the Beirut airport. After four days of on-site inspections, the team wrapped up its investigation Friday into the suspected chemical attack on rebel-held suburbs of Damascus on Aug. 21.
The experts have taken blood and urine samples from victims, as well as soil samples from the affected areas, for examination in laboratories in Europe. The United Nations has said it will try to expedite its final report, and UN disarmament chief Angela Kane is set to brief Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the investigation later Saturday, the AP reports.
In light of uncertain security conditions in Syria, Indonesia is intensifying the evacuation of its citizens.
According to embassy spokesman Wendi Budi Raharji, about 10 to 15 Indonesians come to the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus every day as the bloody conflict continues in that country.
The accommodation center at the Indonesian embassy in Beirut is now housing 155 Indonesians who will soon be flown to Indonesia. Some 4,000 Indonesian citizens have been flown to Indonesia at the expense of the Indonesian government.
He said embassy officials in Beirut remain on alert to pick up Indonesians in border areas who were sent over land from Damascus.
The groups of Indonesians evacuated from Damascus are each composed of about 50 persons. Indonesian officials in Beirut moved speedily to provide them with transit visas and other documents, said officials.
The number of Indonesians who have been evacuated to Indonesia through the embassy in Beirut, from September 2012 to August 2013, stands at 3,979. "Since January this year, the number of evacuees has reached 3,101," Wendi added.
He noted that the latest group flown to Indonesia consisted of 15 people who were sent home on August 23. This was followed by an Indonesian who was flown back to Indonesia by her employer on August 30, 2013.
Most of the Indonesian citizens evacuated from Syria were female housemaids.
On Saturday, according to AFP as quoted by Antara, US President Barack Obama said Friday that the United States was weighing "limited, narrow" action against Syria, insisting the world had a duty to act after hundreds of women and children were gassed to death.
Obama emphasised he had made no "final decision" on unleashing military strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s regime, but gave his clearest indication yet that an attack was imminent.
Additionally, French President Francois Hollande said a military strike on Syria could come by Wednesday and that Britain`s surprise rejection of armed intervention would not affect his government`s stand.
"France wants firm and proportionate action against the Damascus regime," he said in an interview with Le Monde daily, as quoted by AFP. The French parliament is due to meet Wednesday for an emergency session to discuss Syria.
Washington said that 1,429 people, including 426 children, had died in a chemical attack launched by Bashar al-Assad`s regime last week.
In the meantime, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said in New York on Tuesday that Indonesia condemned the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.
"The international community must not tolerate the worsening situation in Syria. If there is evidence that chemical weapons are being used in Syria, it will be the lowest point in the conflict in the country," added Marty.
He urged the international community to support the UN`s investigation on the allegation of chemical weapons being used in Syria and ensure that those responsible are taken to court.
An international non-governmental organisation called `Doctors Without Borders` has stated that Syrian casualties are displaying neuro-toxic symptoms.
Also on Tuesday, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was contacted by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding the Syrian issue, and to discuss the Australians assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council in September.
According to President Yudhoyono`s special aide for international relations, Teuku Faizasyah, Prime Minister Rudd discussed the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.
"Prime Minister Rudd spoke on the phone with the Indonesian President at around 10.40 am for about 10 minutes. They discussed the latest developments in Syria, especially allegations of chemical weapons usage," he said.
During the conversation, President Yudhoyono reviewed the country`s stance towards the developments in Syria. "The President expressed deep concern over the use of chemical weapons in the conflict in Syria, considering it to be unacceptable," he said.
Secondly, he added, Indonesia supports efforts to settle the conflict in Syria. "The President reaffirms that Indonesia will support steps taken by the UN Security Council to settle the conflict in Syria," he said. (*)
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
