WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is stepping up efforts to repatriate foreigners fleeing Libya.
The State Department said Saturday four U.S. military aircraft are picking up Egyptians who crossed the Libyan border into Tunisia, and flying them to Cairo. Two Marine KC-130 aircraft left Djerba, Tunisia, with 132 Egyptians, and two Air Force C-130s are en route to Tunisia to evacuate more.
The government also said it is contributing $3 million to the International Organization for Migration to help repatriate thousands of foreign nationals who crossed into Tunisia to escape clashes between the government of Moammar Gadhafi and the insurrection against him.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of relief flights. On Friday, the U.S. sent two cargo planes into Tunisia with supplies for refugees from Libya.