Foreign Ministry's press releases

Finland has continued its efforts to bring back home those Finns that have expressed their willingness to return to Finland. The first 19 Finns returned to Helsinki on Tuesday evening by flight from Damascus, via Copenhagen. About 25 Finns were able to leave Beirut early Tuesday evening on board a Norwegian ship. The ship arrived at the harbour of Larnaca on Cyprus early on Wednesday morning. The night between Wednesday and Thursday 18 of them arrived in Helsinki. Some Finns remained in Cyprus.

The evacuation from Lebanon of Finns, and of citizens of other EU Member States, has begun through both national measures and EU cooperation. On the basis of information received from the Finnish Embassy in Damascus, Syria, in view of the prevailing circumstances Finns are coping well.

Efforts by consular authorities of EU member states continue to assist those EU citizens who wish to leave Lebanon. Citizens of EU member states wishing to receive detailed instructions are advised to contact their embassies and consulates in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region, and authorities concerned in capitals.

The aim is to organise the transportation of EU-citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus by French vessels during the upcoming week. Finland has transferred a diplomat from Damascus to Beirut to assist in the demobilization of the Finnish citizens. In addition, Finland is ready to send an additional officer from Nicosia to Beirut on the boat, depending on how many Finns are interested in using the offered sea connection or how much support is needed.