Indian nurses free, to return Saturday

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) The Indian nurses in Iraq are now free and the "process" to bring them back home has begun, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here.

"The nurses have been set free and are on their way to Erbil," Akbauddin said.

"The 46 nurses will move to Erbil tonight. As we talk now, an Air India plane has taken off. It is expected to reach tonight," he added.

"A joint secretary level officer is there on the flight," Akbaruddin said.

Along with the nurses, the flight will bring back nearly 70 other Indians.

"Hopefully, we will bring them back tomorrow (Saturday)," he added.