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Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has announced the repatriation of dozens of Senegalese nationals who were stranded in Lebanon. This move follows similar actions by other African nations, prompted by the worsening security situation in Lebanon.
According to Sonko, 310 Senegalese citizens were scheduled to depart from Beirut on Saturday, October 19. He made the announcement during a fundraising event organized by his party, Pastef, ahead of the November legislative elections.
Read Also: Lebanon’s National Carrier Operates Amidst Israeli Airstrikes
On social media platform X, President Faye expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating, “I welcomed our compatriots today with deep emotion as they returned from Lebanon.” He further expressed relief that they had returned safely.
The Ministry of Integration and Foreign Affairs had previously assured the public that all necessary measures had been taken to facilitate the evacuation. The plane carrying the Senegalese nationals is currently en route to Dakar. The ministry’s X account confirmed that 117 Senegalese citizens have already been repatriated.
Prime Minister Sonko emphasized his government’s dedication to ensuring no Senegalese is left in distress abroad. He also referenced the recent successful repatriation of Senegalese citizens from Libya, overseen by Secretary of State for Senegalese Abroad, Amadou Cherif Diouf. Sonko reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and security of Senegalese citizens, wherever they may be.
Additionally, the Pastef leader mentioned President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent efforts in eastern Senegal, where he personally provided support to victims of a local crisis.
In other news, since Israel began bombarding Beirut’s southern suburbs as part of its offensive against the Hezbollah militant group, Lebanon’s national air carrier has become a local icon simply by continuing to do its job.
Middle East Airlines is the only commercial airline still operating out of the Beirut airport, located on the coast next to the densely-populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based.
Unlike the bruising monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, in which an Israeli strike almost immediately took Lebanon’s only commercial airport out of commission, it has not been targeted in the current conflict.
