A ´Special Representative´ of the government of Nepal left Kathmandu on Monday to help rescue Nepali nationals trapped in conflict-hit Iraq.

Joint Secretary Arjun Kanta Mainali, who has been entrusted with the responsibility by the Ministry of Foreign Affair (MoFA), is scheduled to remain in Kuwait for a few days. Mainali along with other his team will reach Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, to facilitate rescue efforts after making analysis of the ground situation in Iraq. "I will be staying in Kuwait for two-three days for visa and other logistics. I will be heading with a small team to Iraq after making proper analysis of the situation of trapped Nepalis there," Mainali told Republica before leaving for Kuwait on Tuesday. 

The government decided to send special Rrepresentative to Iraq as Nepal does not have diplomatic mission in Baghdad. Rescue efforts have failed to be effective as Nepali embassy in Pakistan, which is concurrently accreditated to Iraq, is overseeing the tasks from Islamabad.

Special Representative Mainali, who has good knowledge of Arabic, will be accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission at Nepal´s Embassy in Pakistan Tirtha Aryal. "The government has given him all authorities. He will do the needful to rescue those Nepali nationals currently trapped in conflict-hit zone on the outskirt of Baghdad," said MoFA Spokesperson Dipak Dhital. Dhital said there are some 15 Nepalis, who have sought government´s help for rescue. 

While four Nepali nationals, who fled Kirkuk amid deteriorating security situation, have been brought to Erbil Province, three others in Tikrit are awaiting government help to return home. Likewise, four Nepali nationals, who were released by Islamic militants after four days in captivity, are currently preparing travel documents and tickets to return home, according to MoFA.

Amid deteriorating security situation in various parts of Iraq following seizure of various cities by Islamist militants, the government has advised all Nepalis working there to return home and avoid unnecessary travel to that country. As Nepal government has banned Nepali nationals from travelling to Iraq it is not known how many Nepalis are currently there.

Officials said only a few Nepalis currently working in Iraq have expressed their desire to return home. "Only one or two percent of those now in contact with the government have sought government help to return home. Majority of them have said that they will return home on their own in their convenient time."

Published on: 2 July 2014 | Republica