BBC correspondent Cathy Jenkins "the operation was a logistical nightmare"

A German plane was first, evacuating just over 200 Europeans from the capital Asmara. The United States sent two aircraft, with US soldiers standing guard as people boarded.

The BBC's Cathy Jenkins in Asmara: 'a logistical nightmare'

A British Hercules took out 40 British nationals, Australians, Canadians and South Africans.

Russian, Italian, a UN aircraft also joined the rescue effort as those wanting to leave filled every available seat.

In all around 500 foreigners trapped in the battle zone were airlifted out after authorities in the warring countries agreed to a "window of opportunity" to allow them to be evacuated.

The 13-hour cease-fire followed two bombing raids by Ethiopian planes on the military aiport at Asmara which is next to the civil airport.

Hundreds flee

The German plane took off from the airport at Asmara with Dutch, Swiss, Danish, Swedish, Norweigian and Belgian citizens on board as well as its own nationals.

An Italian airforce plane evacuated about 90 Italians from the capital. An Italian foreign ministry spokesperson said it was the first of two flights scheduled to pick up 300 Italian citizens waiting to be evacuated.

But as the deadline loomed, a third Italian flight was also filled.

Smoke billows from the Eritrea airport complex

One US airforce Hercules transport plane flew Americans, including embassy staff, and other nationals to safety in Jordan on Friday night.

A second US plane, protected by US Marines, was still on the ground after midnight on Saturday as the US charge d'affaires Don Yamamoto waited at the airport.

Russian nationals were reported to have been among those boarding the flight chartered by the UN bound for Jibuti.

The BBC correspondent in Asmara, Cathy Jenkins, said it was now hoped that, if all goes to plan, hundreds of foreign nationals can be evacuated before dawn.

Safety fears

People stranded at the airport who had spent a second day waiting to hear whether they could leave expressed relief at the news of the evacuation plan.

Fears had been growing for the safety of the foreign nationals trapped in Eritrea after the authorities there refused to allow an evacuation plane to land.

Around 200 people, including British Voluntary Services Overseas staff, had already been able to flee the country after the first day of raids and arrived back in their countries on Saturday.