KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) - Malaysian citizens in Syria will be
evacuated using chartered flights and not Charlie aircraft of the Royal
Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this is because the
number of seats in the Charlie aircraft is limited and the cost of operation is
quite high.
"Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Chief, Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin had
already discussed the matter with the National Security Council," he told
reporters after launching National Service Training Programme Series 10/2013
here today.
The first group of Malaysians in Syria to be brought home by the government
due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East are expected to arrive home
tomorrow.
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ZAHID-SYRIA 2 KUALA LUMPUR
Zulkifeli who was also present at the event said the ATM will monitor
the evacuation of Malaysians with national defence advisers in Jordan.
Last Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government
decided that all Malaysians and students in Syria will be evacuated immediately
following the armed conflict.
Media reports said that 138 Malaysians comprising 128 students and 10
expatriates are registered with the Malaysian Embassy in Damascus, the capital
of Syria.
-- BERNAMA
NUA MAM ZUB