OTTAWA - The federal government will start moving hundreds of stranded Canadians from Libya on Thursday, as Western leaders consider sanctions against Moammar Gadhafi's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
Some Canadians looking for a quicker escape from the violence boarded an American vessel in Tripoli harbour on Wednesday with U.S. citizens, Britons and other foreigners. But bad weather delayed the ship from leaving the Libyan capital for Malta.
A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said the 26 Canadians on board were safe on the U.S. vessel, which was expected to spend the night in harbour.
"We're in contact with all our like-minded countries to constantly look for other opportunities to evacuate our citizens," said Lynn Meahan. "This is an example of our co-operation. They will be looked after."
Meanwhile back in Canada, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff chided the Conservative government for being slow to evacuate its citizens. He said it has short-changed Foreign Affairs and is paying the price.
"It's always the same story, we need diplomats in place to help Canadians when they find themselves in trouble," he said in Montreal. "Now we're seeing the fruits of this government's neglect of Canadian diplomacy.
Foreign Affairs has said 344 Canadians are registered with the embassy in Tripoli and at least 213 have said they want out.
Meahan said landing rights for the evacuation plane have been approved and Canadians registered with the embassy are being contacted with details of the airlift. The Skylink aircraft has the capacity to take up to 220 evacuees to Rome.
Canadians fleeing Libya are to land in Rome at 5 p.m. local time Thursday where they will be met by Cannon, who will hold a media availability soon after.
Cannon has strongly urged Canadians to leave the North African country, which has been rocked by violent protests against Gadhafi's rule. Open fighting has broken out in some parts of the country, with militia loyal to Gadhafi clashing with protesters.
Canada is also weighing whether to impose sanctions against Libya, as are the United States and the European Union, said Meahan.
"We are currently considering all options," she said.
News reports from Ottawa said Ihab Nuri El-Mismari, a counsellor at the Libyan embassy, has resigned in opposition to his government's actions at home.
Some Canadians may be trapped in the eastern part of Libya, including the city of Benghazi. Protesters claim to have seized control of several cities in the region.
"The government of Canada is currently looking at options to assist the departure of Canadians from the Benghazi area and will provide information as soon as it becomes available," the embassy said in an email to those on its registry.
Michael Muirhead of Calgary is among those caught in Benghazi. His wife Sheila has been waiting by the phone hoping to hear from him.
"I haven't been able to get through to Mike since yesterday afternoon so I don't have an update," she said Wednesday.
"I know that they're trying to get a flight into Tripoli for Thursday and that they're looking at other options. But it's basically how do you get from Benghazi to Tripoli? That's the thing."
She said she is worried and disappointed that her husband is stranded in the remote region.
Priority on the Tripoli evacuation flight is being given to Canadian citizens, their spouses and children, as well as those with permanent Canadian residence status.
Foreign Affairs is also talking to other countries, including France, the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand about sharing space on evacuation flights.
The embassy is advising people to get to Tripoli airport by noon Thursday.
Each person can bring one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms.
The evacuation flight costs $500 a seat, but the evacuees don't have to pony up the money on the spot, they can simply sign an agreement to repay the government.
The embassy said foreign residents are being allowed to leave the country without obtaining the usual exit visa.
For those wishing to stay, the embassy is urging caution, especially for those in the eastern part of Libya.
The embassy urged people staying in the country to keep a one-week supply of food, water and cooking fuel on hand, as well as some form of emergency lighting. Vehicles should be kept fuelled.
