The Belgian foreign ministry has no plans to repatriate Belgians from the Middle East for the time being. Many Belgian nationals are stranded in the region because their flights have been cancelled and the airspace remains closed due to the conflict between the US and Iran. ‘At this moment, evacuation is not an option,’ according to the foreign ministry. The ministry of defence has the necessary capacity should an evacuation become necessary, says Belgian defence minister Francken.
Foreign News
‘Evacuation of Belgians in Middle East not on the agenda’, foreign ministry tightens travel advice
Colin Clapson
Published:
Updated:
At present, over 2,450 Belgian tourists are stranded in the Middle East. Half of them are on holiday in Dubai foreign minister Maxime Prévot told the Francophone broadcaster RTBF.
At present, evacuation is impossible, says Prévot, because the airspace in most countries in the region is closed.
Discussions are underway with other European countries to determine when evacuation might be possible. Prévot calls on Belgian tourists to be patient and to follow local safety regulations.
Foreign ministry on the case
The foreign ministry does not have exact numbers of Belgians stranded in the wider region. ‘We have received hundreds of calls from the United Arab Emirates and several dozen from other countries in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.’
Most of problems are the result of cancelled flights. ‘We cannot help there,’ says the foreign ministry. ‘People should contact their airlines and travel agencies.’
‘Our services remain available 24/7 for Belgians who need assistance, via the emergency numbers of the embassies and the general emergency number +32 2 501 40 00’.
There are still more than 240 Belgians registered with the embassy in Iran. ‘At the moment, there are virtually no requests for assistance,’ reports the foreign ministry. ‘Our posts are constantly gathering information about ways to leave the country. At present, this is still possible by road.’
The office of Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist Les Engagés) confirms that it is not yet necessary to organise evacuations. Should this become necessary, it will be done in consultation with other European countries, the office notes. Evacuations are currently impossible because the airspace in the region is closed due to the missiles being fired.
Travel advice updated
In light of the conflict with Iran, Belgium has updated its travel advice for several countries in the Middle East.
Due to the uncertain situation, the ministry has advised against all travel to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon is currently. Belgians staying in these countries are advised to remain vigilant, strictly to follow the instructions of the local authorities and to avoid the vicinity of military installations and large gatherings.
For Belgians staying in the United Arab Emirates, the advice is also to avoid non-essential travel.
For Saudi Arabia and Oman, in the current context, all non-essential travel is discouraged for the time being. Furthermore, it is not recommended to travel to Iraq and/or Syria. All travel to the Palestinian Territories is discouraged too, as is all non-essential travel to Israel and Jerusalem.
Defence ministry has capacity for possible evacuation
If necessary, Belgium will evacuate Belgians who are stranded in the Gulf region due to the escalating violence and war says Belgian defence minister Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist N-VA). ‘We can do that and we have the capacity to do so, but at the moment no order has been given to do so.’
‘I am very concerned about our compatriots in the region,’ says Francken. ‘I hope that everything goes well and that everyone stays indoors, because the situation is very unstable.’ According to Francken, the Belgian foreign ministry must make the final decision. ‘If necessary and if we receive the order to evacuate, we will evacuate.’