Momodou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs
By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad has announced plans to evacuate Gambians residing in Lebanon as security concerns in the region intensify.
In a statement, the Ministry expressed its concerns: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to inform the public, especially Gambian nationals in the Middle East, that for some time now, the Ministry and its relevant Missions have been monitoring developments relating to the ongoing security situation in the region with utmost concern and keen interest. Following a careful consideration and serious assessment of the escalating security situation in the Region, particularly in Lebanon, the government has set in motion the process to evacuate Gambians living in Lebanon with immediate effect.”
The Ministry urged Gambians in Lebanon to promptly contact the following numbers, providing their passport and contact details:
1. The Director Diaspora and Migration Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Banjul, Mobile number +220 766 1922 and +220 394 5186.
2. The Honorary Consulate General of The Gambia in Beirut, Lebanon, Mobile numbers +961-76 885 400 and +961 3 004 791.The Ministry noted that all these numbers are accessible via WhatsApp. Additionally, contact information for all Gambian Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad can be found on the Ministry’s Diaspora website: www.diaspora.gm.
The Ministry also urged families and friends in The Gambia to relay this vital information to their loved ones in Lebanon to ensure every Gambian there is informed about this urgent evacuation offer.
“Furthermore, families and friends in The Gambia are urged to engage their loved ones in Lebanon to share this information with them to ensure that every Gambian living in Lebanon becomes aware of this urgent offer of evacuation,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.