The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates warnings against travel to Lebanon. – We emphasize in our communications that if the situation does not require an absolute necessity to remain on the territory of Lebanon, it is advisable to leave the threatened areas – said Deputy Minister Andrzej Szejna on Sunday. Yesterday, the authorities of the USA and Great Britain appealed to their citizens to leave Lebanon.
– The Polish government is prepared for any eventuality if the conflict in the Middle East escalates, although we hope for its de-escalation. We, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterate our warnings against travel to Lebanon and we emphasize in our messages to our compatriots that if the situation does not require an absolute necessity to remain on the territory of Lebanon, it is advisable to leave the threatened areas – said Szejna.
The deputy head of Polish diplomacy stressed that he hopes that “the peace processes will bring results”. – However, if this does not happen, the Polish government has a plan prepared for the rapid evacuation of our citizens, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense. The diplomatic services and the Ministry of National Defense are on full alert in this matter, should the conflict escalate – he noted.
– We are not planning to evacuate the staff of our diplomatic missions in the near future, although we are aware that the situation may evolve – added Szejna.
The deputy minister also noted that in his opinion, the key to a more lasting calming of the situation and easing conflicts in the region is the issue of Palestine. – The first step towards this is a ceasefire, and then peace in Palestine and recognition of the two-state solution, which is also supported by Polish diplomacy – he noted.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its warnings against travel to Lebanon. “If your situation does not absolutely require you to remain on Lebanese territory, it is advisable to leave the threatened area,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises on October. It also informs that air transport in the region remains available.
Also on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in connection with the increasing number of Polish tourists coming to Lebanon, Israel and Iranwarned against any travel to the region. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out, the unstable situation in the region indicates that leaving these places will be increasingly difficult.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis and the mission in Lebanon remains in contact with Polish citizens staying there.
Suspended flights
On Saturday, LOT extended the suspension of flights to and from Israel and canceled connections from Warsaw to Tel Aviv August 4 and 5, and return flights August 5 and 6. On Friday, the carrier canceled eight connections to Israel and Lebanon “after conducting a safety analysis of flight operations.”
About flight cancellations Near East on Saturday, the budget airline Wizz Air also announced. In a short statement available only in English, it said that “due to the escalation of the situation in the region, Wizz Air will temporarily suspend flights to and from Israel and Jordan until August 4 inclusive.” Several other carriers have suspended flights to Israel since Thursday, including Delta, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air India.
Beirut, the capital of Lebanon Shutterstock
Appeal from Italy and France
On Sunday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also Italian Antonio Tajani He appealed to his country's citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible due to the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
MFA France also urged its citizens to leave Iran and Lebanon due to the risk of military escalation in the region.
Voltage rise
In recent days, tensions have escalated sharply between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah operating from Lebanon. On Saturday, July 27, Hezbollah fired rockets at the border town of Majdal Shamswhich resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers – the missile hit a soccer field. On Tuesday, in retaliation, Israeli forces attacked the commander of Hezbollah's operational military wing, Fouad Shukr, in Beirut, who, the army said, was “responsible for the deaths of children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous other Israeli civilians.”
On Wednesday, another attack was carried out in Tehran, the victim of which was the head of the terrorist organization Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who Qatarwhere he had lived for many years, went to the capital of Iran for the inauguration of the new president.
On Saturday US and UK authorities appealed to their citizensto leave Lebanon. Sweden however, decided to close its embassy in Beirut.
Main image source: Shutterstock