Malaysians In Syria To Be Evacuated Using Chartered Flights

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). Malaysia's Defence Minister 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 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 Monday. 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. 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, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib 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