Press release

No.: 98/06
Date: 23.07.2006

Foreign Minister says most Norwegians in Lebanon have been brought to safety

“I am very glad that we have managed to help so many Norwegians in Lebanon get out of harm’s way. It has been a real challenge to organise transport, especially for those south of the Litani River, who were particularly vulnerable. It is therefore a great relief that the last family left in this area got out on Sunday morning,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

However there is still more work to do in order to repatriate those Norwegians who wish to come home to Norway. This process is well under way.

The operation has been taking place under extremely difficult – and at times dangerous – conditions in Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus. “Now that most of the Norwegians have been evacuated from Lebanon, I want to thank all those who have helped to make this possible,” Mr Støre said.

“There has been close cooperation between the Foreign Ministry, the police, the Norwegian Defence and the health authorities. The shipping company Høegh and NGOs in Lebanon have also provided invaluable assistance, as has the Lebanese Red Cross. Without their help we would not have been able to transport more than 800 Norwegians and some 1000 foreign nationals out of Lebanon,” Mr Støre continued.

“One of the most important tasks in the time ahead will be to alleviate the suffering inflicted on the Lebanese civilian population. Here Norway will cooperate closely with the UN and NGOs that have experience of working in Lebanon,” the Foreign Minister concluded.