Belgium sends soldiers to Cyprus to repatriate nationals from Lebanon
The Belgian federal government is sending Belgian soldiers to Cyprus on Thursday, Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder told Belga. They will be on standby to repatriate Belgian nationals from Lebanon. The federal government is also sending the B-FAST team to transfer medicines and other resources to Lebanon.
Israel's incursion into southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is active, threatens a further escalation in the Middle East. That is why the federal government decided on Thursday to send Belgian military personnel to Cyprus, where they will be on standby to repatriate compatriots who want to leave Lebanon.
No military operation yet
"Today, Defence is ready - if necessary - to evacuate Belgians from Lebanon," said Dedonder. In this way, the minister wants to "anticipate" any further escalation of the regional conflict in the Middle East.
Cyprus is the perfect place for the operation, according to Dedonder. The country is close to the war zone, but not in it. Belgians will be evacuated from Lebanon to Cyprus, from where they will return to Belgium.
No military operation will be launched for the time being. "Until today, there are still commercial flights from Lebanon," continues Dedonder. "We are waiting for the green light from the foreign minister to start a military operation. We expect to gain time and above all not to lose time."
1,800 Belgians
Around 1,800 Belgian nationals are currently still in Lebanon, 90 of whom have requested repatriation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Belgian embassy in Lebanon is investigating if more nationals want to return to Belgium.
The federal government also dispatched the B-FAST team, the Belgian First Aid and Support Team. "In total, we have sent 150,000 euros worth of medicines and supplies to Lebanon via B-FAST," says Dedonder.
© BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ
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