As tensions soar in Lebanon, countries like Australia and Portugal are urgently evacuating their citizens, utilizing military aircraft stationed in Larnaca, Cyprus. With around 1,700 Australians eager to leave, swift international cooperation is essential for ensuring their safety amidst the crisis.
In a bold move of solidarity, Greece has sent a Lockheed C130 transport aircraft to Beirut, Lebanon, to evacuate Cypriot nationals amid rising tensions in the region. With around 60 passengers on board, including 45 Cypriots, the aircraft will whisk them away to safety in Larnaca, Cyprus, and then onward to Athens.
Amid the escalating Lebanese exodus, Cyprus is prioritizing the safety and repatriation of its nationals, coordinating evacuations through the ‘Estia’ scheme, and offering assistance to civilians from nine other countries. With Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and President Nikos Christodoulides at the helm, Cyprus has become a vital hub, managing sea and air evacuations while ensuring tight security measures in response to the heightened tensions.
Approximately 100 Cypriot nationals are set to be evacuated from Lebanon using a Greek C130 aircraft, responding to rising tensions in the region. This urgent operation, confirmed by Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, highlights the strong partnership between Cyprus and Greece in ensuring the safety of their citizens amid escalating conflict.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Cyprus has emerged as a crucial evacuation hub, with its ‘Estia’ plan activated to assist evacuees from conflict areas like Israel and Lebanon. As nations mobilize their emergency plans, the island’s strategic location and past experience—such as sheltering 60,000 people during the 2006 conflict—position it as a vital player in humanitarian responses.
Western nations are rapidly evacuating their citizens from Lebanon as tensions soar in the Middle East, particularly due to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Countries like Australia, Canada, France, and the UK are implementing evacuation plans, utilizing both air and sea routes to ensure the safety of their nationals amidst the chaos.
