So far, 1.550 citizens, mainly from third countries, have left Lebanon via Cyprus since assisted departures began on September 27, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Theodoros Gotsis told KYPE.
The majority of citizens who have departed so far are Australian. Specifically, out of 1.550, 1.069 were Australian citizens.
Australia has operated six flights and will continue with two more flights today and possibly tomorrow. The majority of those who have arrived have left for their countries of origin. Those awaiting departure are accommodated in state facilities based on the provisions of the National HOSTIA Plan.
This number also includes 76 Cypriot citizens and 26 members of their families, 33 citizens of Greece and smaller numbers from 19 other countries, noted Mr. Gotsis.
Another country with a flying program was Slovakia which carried out 4 flights with a small military aircraft evacuating a total of 98 people, Slovaks and 10 other countries. It is recalled that Portugal was the first country to carry out a flight with 44 people. At the same time, there is increased commercial traffic in the ports. The majority of them are European citizens.
Besides, Mr. Gotsis was also asked about the vandalism at the Kiti High School in Larnaca, where unknown persons broke windows in both classrooms and the multi-purpose room. It is noted that this room was chosen to be used if there is a need for temporary accommodation of citizens from third countries leaving Lebanon for their countries.
The Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after condemning the event, clarified that the temporary accommodation of citizens who are removed from Lebanon would be carried out if there was a need in the closed rooms / gymnasiums of the schools and in no case in the classrooms.
He explained that the selection of such sites is a constant international practice, but they are not the first site used, which is also applied in the current process. As part of the preparation for up to 7.000 beds, certain such spaces are also included with the basic criterion that these spaces are not adjacent to classrooms, he continued, repeating that they are not the first choice.
In particular, he said that not a single one of the 1.550 citizens who arrived from Lebanon had been accommodated in such rooms yet.
We have an obligation as a country in the region for any humanitarian support we can provide, emphasized Mr. Gotsis.
In this context, he recalled the humanitarian aid in Gaza while mentioning that at the same time, a shipment of pharmaceutical aid to Lebanon is being prepared. "It is our basic obligation as a member state of the international community," he concluded.
