First Group Of Malaysians In Syria Expected To Arrive On Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The first group of seven Malaysian students in Syria evacuated by the government are expected to arrive home on Wednesday. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said they would depart Damascus at 5.45pm (local time) Tuesday and expected to arrive here at 2.55pm Wednesday on Emirates Airline flight EK346. The second group of 33 Malaysian students would leave Damascus at 5.45pm (local time) Wednesday and expected to arrive at 2.55pm Thursday, also on an Emirates flight. "The Malaysian Embassy in Damascus is striving to ensure that all students can be evacuated immediately," Anifah said in a statement here Monday. The ministry's operation room is open 24 hours and can be contacted at 03-8889 2746, 8887 4570, 8887 4770, 8889 2809, 019-315 4080, 019-341 4080 and 019-278 4556. Last Saturday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the government decided to evacuate Malayasian students and expatriates in Syria immediately following the escalating conflict in the country. The Malaysian embassy in Syria will also be closed and all employees including the ambassador had been ordered to return home for security reasons. -- BERNAMA