Lula government announces rescue of Brazilians in Lebanon
The federal government announced this Monday (30) that it is preparing a repatriation flight for Brazilians in Lebanon. According to Planalto, the operation will be coordinated by Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense.
The date will be announced in the coming days, “after analyzing the safety conditions for the flight”. The decision comes due to the escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.
On September 20, the conflict intensified after the simultaneous explosion of thousands of communication devices belonging to Hezbollah members. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than a thousand people have been killed and six thousand injured in the last two weeks.
Two Brazilian teenagers died amid Israeli bombings in Lebanon: Mirna Raef Nasser, aged 16, was from Balneário Camboriú (SC), and Ali Kamal Abdallah, aged 15, from Foz do Iguaçu (PR). Itamaraty estimates that 21 thousand Brazilians live in Lebanon.
The government said the Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) initial plan envisages takeoff from Beirut airport, which remains open. “The Embassy in Lebanon is taking the necessary measures to make the operation viable, in permanent contact with the Brazilian community and in close coordination with local authorities,” stated Itamaraty.
Last week, the Brazilian government condemned “in the strongest terms” the air strikes launched by Israel against Lebanon. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Brazilians leave the conflict area.
See note from Itamaraty on the repatriation of Brazilians in Lebanon
“The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ordered a repatriation flight for Brazilians in Lebanon. The operation, coordinated by Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense, will have its date announced in the coming days, after analyzing security conditions for the flight.
The Brazilian Air Force’s initial planning envisages takeoff from Beirut airport, which is open. The Embassy in Lebanon is taking the necessary measures to make the operation viable, in permanent contact with the Brazilian community and in close coordination with local authorities.”
