Belgian nationals arrive in Brussels after repatriation from Beirut
More than 50 Belgian nationals who left Lebanon in a military aircraft chartered by the Netherlands arrived in Belgium shortly before midnight on Friday. A second repatriation flight left Eindhoven for Beirut on Saturday morning.
“As soon as the government agreed, I took steps to enable Belgians who wished to leave Lebanon to do so quickly,” said outgoing Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib, who was present at the Neder-Over-Heembeek military hospital in the north of Brussels to meet those repatriated.
“These are Belgians who have lived in Lebanon for a long time but remain Belgians,” she said, thanking the Netherlands for their “excellent cooperation”. Some 1,800 Belgians are currently in Lebanon, with around 200 having indicated that they wish to leave as the conflict in the region intensifies.
"We don’t know what lies ahead. I’m very afraid for my family and friends in Lebanon"
“Depending on the demand, we will mobilise other means to ensure that our compatriots return to Belgium quickly,” Lahbib said. “We remain in contact with Belgians on the ground who are finding it difficult to leave, but who want to leave the country, and we will support them until they return.”
Nathalie Leclaire was one of those repatriated on Friday. She lives in a village near Beirut, which has been the target of Israeli bombardments in recent days. “I’m very worried,” she said. “We don’t know what lies ahead. I’m very afraid for my family and friends in Lebanon.”
Friday’s flight was carrying 185 people, including more than 100 Dutch and 55 Belgians, as well as Finnish and Irish nationals. A further 50 Belgians are expected to be repatriated from Beirut on Saturday.
A military aircraft carrying Dutch, Belgian, Irish and Finnish citizens from Beirut lands at Eindhoven's airbase, 4 October 2024 © PHOTO ANP ROB ENGELAAR
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