New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Amidst reports of protests being violently put down in Libya, India Sunday assured that all Indians are safe in that country.

"Indians in Libya safe. Embassy in touch with Indians and Indian companies throughout Libya," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao posted on her twitter account Sunday morning.

With journalists barred from Libya, reports from various sources in the country indicated that over 80 people are estimated dead in protests held since Friday, especially in the Libya's second largest city, Benghazi.

Emboldened by successful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, thousands of Libyans have been calling for the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 41 years.

According to Ministry of External Affairs, there are about 18,000 Indians in Libya.

In recent years, several public and private Indian companies have created a significant presence in Libya, including ONGC Videsh Limited, BHEL, Oil India, Punj Llyod, Unitech, Shapoorji Pallonji International, NIIT and Sun Pharma.