A Brazilian Air Force (FAB) plane will pick up Brazilians who are in Lebanon in the next few days. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision to repatriate the Brazilians comes from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The region suffers from continued Israeli air strikes against civilian areas in Beirut, South Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.
The operation, coordinated by Itamaraty and the Ministry of Defense, will have its date announced in the coming days, after analyzing the safety conditions for the flight. FAB’s initial planning envisages takeoff from Beirut airport, which is open.
“The Embassy in Lebanon is taking the necessary measures to make the operation viable, in permanent contact with the Brazilian community and in close coordination with local authorities”, says the note from Itamaraty.
Last week, Israeli bombings in Lebanon caused death of two Brazilian teenagers. The largest community of Brazilians in the Middle East is currently in Lebanon. In total, 21 thousand Brazilians live in the country.
