"It is necessary for Swedes to leave Lebanon, or refrain from traveling to the country in question", emphasizes Billström in a written comment to TT.
During the summer, it is estimated that 8,000-10,000 Swedes will be in Lebanon at any given time, according to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
On the special Swedish list that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has set up, around 850 people have signed up. Signing up means that a person provides information about where in Lebanon they are staying and how they can be reached.
Over the weekend, twelve children and young people were killed and dozens injured in a rocket attack from Lebanon against the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel pointed out Iran-backed Hezbollah as responsible, which Hezbollah denies. On Sunday, it was reported that Israel had carried out a first response "deep into Lebanese territory".
The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the latest events show the seriousness of the Ministry's warning, which has been in place for nine months. The Ministry has urged Swedes to leave Lebanon.
Flights stopped
"It is the strictest degree of warning. The situation can become so serious that it is simply not possible to help Swedes in Lebanon. You cannot expect to receive help from the state to leave the country", says Tobias Billström (M).
After the weekend's deadly rocket attack, several airlines have stopped flights to and from Lebanon's capital Beirut.
Air France-KLM announces that all flights on Monday and Tuesday are stopped "due to the security situation" and Lufthansa stops all departures until August 5. Low-cost carrier Transavia also announces that it is stopping flights to and from Beirut.
"Cannot expect help"
Should the conflict escalate with short notice, people risk becoming stranded in the country and then all Swedes in Lebanon bear a great personal responsibility, according to Billström.
"The state's ability to help in a crisis situation will be very small", he says.
