Turkish FM announces completion of evacuation of Turkish citizens from Lebanon

Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, announced the completion of the evacuation of Turkish citizens from Lebanon, stressing the continuation of extending a helping hand to the peoples of the region in facing the humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli aggression. Fidan said in a post on the X platform on Thursday: "Our ships that evacuated our citizens from Lebanon and carried humanitarian aid to the brotherly Lebanese people according to the instructions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, moved from Beirut towards Mersin in southern Turkey. The Foreign Minister stressed that Turkey will continue to "extend a helping hand to the peoples of the region in the face of the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel's expansion of the conflict, and take all necessary steps to protect the lives and property of our citizens abroad." Two Turkish ships loaded with 300 tons of humanitarian aid arrived in the Lebanese capital Beirut yesterday, Wednesday, to evacuate Turkish citizens after unloading their ca rgo of aid. The aid was prepared in coordination with the Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, as it was delivered by the ships "TGG Sancakdar" and "TGG Bayraktar" affiliated with the Naval Forces Command. Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Baris Ulusoy said in a speech during the ceremony of receiving the two ships at the port of Beirut yesterday, Wednesday, that Lebanon is going through very difficult times recently, following the Israeli aggression, explaining that Turkey is carrying out a dual operation today, the purpose of which is to help the Lebanese brothers and meet their humanitarian needs on one hand, and to evacuate Turkish citizens on the other hand. He pointed out that his country donated 300 tons of humanitarian aid to the Lebanese government as part of this operation, which was coordinated by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the contribution of a number of relevant ministries and institutions. The Turkish ambassador explained that the humanitarian aid include s shelter materials such as "tents, beds and blankets that the Lebanese people desperately need these days, in addition to food and hygiene supplies." Ulusoy also stressed Turkey's permanent support for the Lebanese people, noting that his country also recently sent 30 tons of medical aid and medicines to Lebanon via a military cargo ship. Source: National Iraqi News Agency