Blanar: Evacuation from Lebanon among Largest Logistic Operations in Our History

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - In connection with the expansion of the conflict in Gaza to southern Lebanon, the Foreign Affairs Ministry carried out one of the largest logistic evacuation operations in the history of Slovakia, Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has told TASR TV. According to Blanar, Slovakia has its diplomatic mission in Beirut, but many other Slovaks live in Lebanon as well. When signals occurred that the conflict might gradually escalate from Gaza to Lebanon, the ministry started working on the evacuation's preparation. "Together with the Defence and Interior Ministries, we organised a military and civilian government aircraft," he said, adding that several other countries, including the Czech Republic and the USA, asked Slovakia for help in this connection. "This attests to the fact that Slovakia is a respected and reliable country if they turn to us in such a serious matter like the evacuation of their citizens," added Blanar. Palestinian radical movement Hamas on October 7, 2023 attacked the south of Israel, which replied with a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. "Now the conflict is being transferred to a neighbouring country, Lebanon," stated Blanar. He pointed to the large number of civilian fatalities, as well as others dying due to the insufficient health care, lack of medicaments and basic food. Blanar sees the only sustainable solution to the situation in a two-state model, with the Arab countries recognising Israel and Palestine being recognised as a state as well. "The Slovak Republic as the successor country of Czechoslovakia recognised Palestine in 1988," noted Blanar. "Now we're waiting for other countries talking about the two-state solution to recognise Palestine as well," underlined the minister. ko