The government stops helping “Swedes” in Lebanon

Published 6 August 2024 at 13.38

Foreign. Despite repeated calls from the government to leave the Arab country immediately, roughly 8,000 Swedish citizens are still in Lebanon. Now Sweden is closing its embassy in Beirut and referring these people to other EU countries for help.

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The Swedish embassy in Beirut is closing and that the staff is being transferred to Cyprus due to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.

This decision affects over 8,000 Swedish citizens – mainly vacationing Arabs – who, according to the Foreign Ministry, are still in the country.

Swedish citizens in Lebanon are now asked to seek consular help from the embassies and consulates of other EU countries, because EU directives oblige them to offer support in such situations.

– We have clearly and repeatedly explained that Swedes who defy the advice cannot count with help in a further deteriorating situation, says Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) to Ekot.

Sweden is the only Nordic country that has so far chosen to leave Lebanon and close its embassy there.

The decision to close the embassy applies initially during August but may be extended depending on developments.