After a year of war in Gaza, the conflict has seriously spread to Lebanon. Iran has responded by sending hundreds of drones against Israel, which has promised a powerful response.
The situation is tense and unpredictable, says the Foreign Minister, and notes that a major war in the Middle East would have consequences for Sweden.
We are not an isolated island. We also have large diasporas where we, not least after October 7, have seen that it has created certain conflicts in the country. It is in everyone's interest that we can now calm the situation.
Thousands of Swedes are believed to be in Lebanon, but while many other countries have announced that they will evacuate their citizens, Sweden, citing an existing travel advisory, has placed the responsibility on the individual.
On Thursday, Malmer Stenergard announced that the embassy in Beirut will reopen after being temporarily closed since the beginning of August. However, this should not be interpreted as the government changing its stance.
We have always tried to help Swedish citizens who want to return to Sweden. We have always provided consular support. There has been a small demand, but there has been an opportunity to receive economic assistance in the form of loans to, for example, buy an air ticket, she says.
