World
October 1, 2024 07:20
beirut - Multiple European countries have initiated the evacuation of citizens and embassy staff from Lebanon amid escalating tensions in the region.
Multiple European countries have started the evacuation of citizens and embassy staff from Lebanon due to rising tensions in the region. A French navy ship has departed from the port of Toulon heading towards Lebanon, with a mission to reach the Lebanese coast within five to six days. The ship has been deployed as a precaution for possible evacuations.
'We are scaling up in case the situation deteriorates,' stated a source within the navy. At present, there are no evacuations being carried out by the French government, the source added. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was in Beirut on Monday, calling for a ceasefire in southern Lebanon. There are approximately 23,000 French citizens living in Lebanon.
Other European countries are also considering plans for potential evacuations of their citizens from Lebanon. The UK government has arranged a charter flight for British nationals wanting to leave Lebanon. The situation is described as 'unstable' and 'can deteriorate quickly,' said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, just hours before Israel began its ground offensive in Lebanon.
British citizens can apply for seats on the flight for £350 (€420) per person with their families, as reported by the BBC. The aircraft is scheduled to depart from Beirut International Airport on Wednesday. Lammy mentioned that the arrangement of additional charter flights in the coming days depends on demand. It is estimated that there are still between 4,000 to 6,000 British nationals in Lebanon. Earlier, the UK announced plans to send seven hundred troops to Cyprus in case an evacuation becomes necessary.
On Monday, Germany dispatched an Airbus A321 aircraft from the air force to evacuate non-essential diplomatic staff, embassy employees' families, and individuals with vulnerable health conditions from Lebanon, as announced by the German ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Bulgaria also evacuated 89 people using a government aircraft.
Canada has reserved 800 seats on commercial flights on Monday to assist its citizens in leaving Lebanon. 'The security situation in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous and unstable,' wrote Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. 'To help Canadians in Lebanon leave the country more quickly, we are currently increasing commercial capacity and have reserved an additional 800 seats for the next three days.' Approximately 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon.
The Netherlands, for now, is not organizing an evacuation flight, according to the Dutch ambassador in Lebanon, Frank Mollen, as reported by NOS. 'That is truly a last resort, you only do it if you really have no other choice.' Mollen mentioned that it is still possible to leave the country using regular commercial flights: 'Go now while you still can.'
On Sunday, the Dutch government stated that it does not yet see the need to evacuate Dutch nationals from Lebanon. 'The Dutch military and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are always prepared to bring Dutch citizens to safety,' Tuinman said on the political talk show Buitenhof. 'However, at this moment, it is not yet necessary to carry out an evacuation,' the government determined. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, and if necessary, we will act.'
But the state secretary prefers that Dutch citizens leave Lebanon on their own and find a safe haven. He emphasized that a potential evacuation could be 'dangerous and very uncertain,' and especially traumatic for children at times.