London [UK], June 24: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will evacuate thousands of sailors from the Middle East following the agreement between the United States and Iran to end hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz. "We will begin the implementation of the evacuation plan for over 11,000 seafarers still stranded in the region," IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said on Tuesday.
The large-scale operation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman and other Gulf states, as well as the US and the shipping industry, according to the head of the London-based UN agency. The necessary security guarantees have been obtained and the maritime security conditions for supporting the operation have been thoroughly reviewed, Dominguez said in a statement.
He strongly condemned the attacks on civilian shipping and paid tribute to the 14 sailors who lost their lives during the conflict, which began on February 28. (dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune
