inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) encourages Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Lebanon to follow the directions of the local Indonesian Representative to be evacuated home as early as possible for personal safety.

"Follow all the directions of the contingency plan that have been conveyed by the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, including if there is a request for evacuation, please do not delay until the situation worsens," said the Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and BHI of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, Friday (4/10/24).

The reason is, if the situation worsens and open war breaks out, the ability of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut to evacuate Indonesian citizens from Lebanon to a safe location will be very limited, especially if there is an attack on vital points that can paralyze transportation activities.

Director Judha admitted that although the Indonesian government is obliged to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens wherever they are, including through evacuation to a safe place, the decision to follow the evacuation remains in the hands of each Indonesian citizen.

"We convey it as it is, we must evacuate now, before the situation gets worse, while there is still a chance," said Director Judha.

In addition, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut continue to remind Indonesian citizens who are still in Lebanon to increase personal vigilance and avoid potentially dangerous locations.

The Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that there are currently 116 Indonesian citizens in Lebanon, the majority of whom are in Beirut with a total of 83 people.

Indonesian citizens in Lebanon are also encouraged to proactively contact and report themselves to the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut to facilitate monitoring and communication if necessary and if an emergency situation occurs.

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