The departure of a ferry evacuating Russians and foreigners from the northern Libyan port has been delayed until Monday over poor weather conditions, a Russian emergencies spokesman said.
"The departure of the ferry has been delayed due to poor weather. It is planned that it will leave the port [Ras Lanuf] on February 28," the spokesman said.
The Saint Stefan-2 ferry, which has a capacity of 1,000 people, left the Italian port of Bari for the Libya port of Ras Lanuf on February 23. The vessel is expected to take 842 people on board, including 123 Russians.
Russia has previously evacuated the larger part of its citizens from the riot-hit North African country by planes. Besides Russian nationals evacuated from Libya over the last few days, Russia has also evacuated citizens of Serbia, Thailand, Uzbekistan and a dozen other countries.
Earlier on Sunday, a plane sent by Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry carrying 29 people on board, including seven Russians and 22 foreigners, left Tripoli for Moscow.
Violent nationwide protests demanding the end of the 42-year rule of Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi are currently raging across Libya. National authorities clamped down on the protests.
Up to 2,000 people were killed and between 4,000 and 6,000 others were wounded in the clashes with security forces. Libyan authorities have pledged to continue to suppress the opposition.
MOSCOW, February 27 (RIA Novosti)
