With normal life slowly returning to the war-ravaged country Libya, India has decided to partially lift the ban on emigration to the country, considering the need of manpower in the country.

Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, announced partial lifting of ban on emigration to Libya through a press statement on Friday.

The emigration to Libya was banned on February 21, 2011 following the internal disturbances prevailing in the country. After an interim Government has taken over, the situation has improved. It has been noticed that there is growing demand for manpower in Libya in various sectors.

The minister of overseas Indias affairs said: "there have been repeated requests for sending required manpower from India to Libya. The manpower from other competitive markets like Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines etc are arriving in Libya. It has therefore, been decided in consultations with Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Mission in Libya to partially lift the ban for emigration to Libya. Doctors and para-medical staff will be permitted to emigrate to Libya as the Libyan Health Ministry has approached our mission in Tripoli in this regard."

However, the government will decide on complete lifting of the ban after reviewing the political situation in the country, which is going to conduct elections soon.

Libya witnessed mass revolt in 2011 with the people coming to the streests in protest against the erratic leadership of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, who ruled the country for more than 40 years. Qaddafi finally gave up in August 2011 afetr six months of gun battle. He was eventually killed in one of the fights.

Three days after Muammar el-Qaddafi was killed, Libya was formally declared liberated by the provisional government, the Transitional National Council, thus paving way for creating a new constitution and having an elected government.

Elections were supposed to be held in May but were postponed to June following internal violence in the country.