* Thousands of foreign nationals try to escape revolt
* An estimated 1.5 million foreigners currently in Libya
GENEVA, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Nationals of Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Germany have joined thousands of Tunisians leaving Libya by its western land border to escape violent protests, the International Organisation for Migration said on Wednesday.
In a statement released in Geneva, the IOM said many of those arriving in Tunisia from Libya were trying to reach Djerba airport to get flights home. Others are being sheltered in low-cost hotels.
"In addition to several thousand returning Tunisians, there were some Lebanese, Turkish, Syrian and three German nationals who had arrived asking for onward travel assistance," the IOM said, citing its local staff and Red Crescent officials.
The IOM is trying to find new evacuation routes from Libya, which has an estimated 1.5 million foreign nationals, including people working there and those passing through on the way to other destinations.
"Although a significant number are from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad, Niger, West Africa and the Horn of Africa, there are also migrants from other parts of the world including Asia," it said. "Among them are Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Chinese."
Libya borders Tunisia and Egypt, both of which have ousted long-time rulers in the past few weeks. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said he will not be forced out by the rebellion sweeping through his vast oil-producing nation. [ID:LDE71L2LE]
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