Russia began evacuating citizens from Lebanon and a special flight left Beirut this Thursday (3) with the families of Russian diplomats, said Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov.
Around 60 people will arrive in Russia from Lebanon on Thursday, the Emergencies Ministry said.
“The withdrawal operation is carried out on instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin,” the ministry said.
Russia also frequently helps evacuate citizens of other former Soviet republics in such situations.
Israel, which has been fighting Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, has sent its troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes in an escalating conflict that risks drawing in the United States and Iran.
Government considers taking Brazilians from Lebanon to Turkey
Amid the intensification of the conflict in the Middle East, the Lula government is considering removing Brazilian citizens from Lebanon and taking them to Turkey, so that they can remain in safe areas until further rescue flights.
The measure under evaluation, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, could be adopted together with the start of the repatriation operation. According to authorities, the most important thing at this time is to take advantage of the fact that Beirut airport is still open.
The plane to rescue the first 220 Brazilians is in Lisbon, awaiting authorization to take off towards the airport in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The flight is expected to return to Brazil by Sunday. The scenario, however, is under permanent evaluation given the escalation of attacks and the risk of the airport being closed.
In addition to Türkiye, Itamaraty is also studying an evacuation route for Brazilians through Syria, using Russia’s air base. Another option is to redeem through Jordan.
There is also the possibility of conducting the operation via Cyprus. In this case, the operation would use a maritime exit.
Lebanon has the largest Brazilian community in the Middle East, with 21 thousand people. Around three thousand asked the Embassy in Beirut for support. The list for the first flight must prioritize women, children, the elderly and people with health problems.
This Wednesday (3), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, will hold a press conference on the plan to repatriate Brazilians.
This content was originally published in Russia begins to withdraw its citizens from Lebanon amid Israeli attacks on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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