The number of requests for repatriation of Portuguese citizens in Israel increased to 53 and there were no new requests from residents in Iran, the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities told Lusa. “At this moment, we have 53 requests for repatriation of Portuguese citizens in Israel. In the Gulf area [Pérsico] We are making an inventory (…), as it is an area where the number of travelers is very unstable”, Emídio Sousa told Lusa, by telephone, that on Sunday he had announced the existence of 39 requests for repatriation from Israel.
Regarding Portuguese residents in Iran, there were no further requests other than the two citizens who left the country on Sunday. “There are only 11 left [cidadãos portugueses]. Of the numbers we had, there were 13, two of which were already released yesterday [domingo]. We also have information that, of these 13, four have dual nationality”, he specified.
“Then there is the situation of the other residents who are in the area where the conflict is unfolding, who are calm”, guaranteed the member of the Portuguese government. The Secretary of State stressed that the Government has asked people, particularly residents, to stay at home and respect the recommendations of local authorities.
Emídio Sousa also mentioned that there is information that some flights are being resumed in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Precisely in Dubai, 73 Portuguese were identified on a cruise, where they are being held for security reasons, “but they are fine” and were visited today by the Portuguese ambassador in Abu Dhabi, Fernando Figueirinhas, and have a return flight scheduled for the 7th, Saturday, he added.
The source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) specified that Portugal is in permanent contact with the European Union (EU), but that it also applies, autonomously, repatriation plans. Finally, Emídio Sousa reiterated the importance of registering travelers on the MNE traveler portal, to make it easier to articulate the diplomatic response.
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