Several countries are organizing evacuations of their nationals in Lebanon
Several countries have organized evacuations of their nationals residing in Lebanon where the Israeli army claimed to have launched a ground operation against Hezbollah in the south of the country.
France. A French Navy vessel set sail on Monday from the south-east of France to preposition itself off the coast of Lebanon in the event of a need to evacuate French nationals, the army general staff announced. The French amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) will put “5 to 6 days” to reach the area in the eastern Mediterranean from the port of Toulon. Some 23,000 French or Franco-Lebanese are established in Lebanon.
Germany. Berlin sent a military plane to Beirut on Monday to evacuate employees of the German embassy in Lebanon and their families. Some 1,800 German citizens are registered with the crisis unit of the diplomatic representation in Lebanon.
United Kingdom. The United Kingdom announced Monday evening that it had chartered a commercial flight for its nationals who wish to evacuate Lebanon. This flight will depart from Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Wednesday. British, dual nationals and their immediate families represent some 5,000 people in Lebanon.
Poland. Poland announced on Tuesday its intention to reduce the staff of its embassy in Lebanon “given the growing tension” and help “a few dozen” Polish nationals who wish to leave the country by commercial charter flights.
Bulgaria. A total of 89 Bulgarians, mainly families with children, were evacuated from Lebanon and arrived in Sofia late Monday. A government plane is expected to make a second flight on Tuesday. About 400 Bulgarians live in Lebanon, and so far 160 of them have said they want to be evacuated, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova.
Portugal. Portugal has already repatriated on Saturday evening – by military flight, via Cyprus – 28 national citizens and their families, for a total of 44 people.
Canada. Canada announced Monday that it had reserved 800 seats on commercial flights to help its nationals leave Lebanon. About 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon and the next flight is scheduled for Tuesday.
