Sixty-nine stranded Nigerians have been repatriated from Lebanon, the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Houssam Diab, said on Thursday.
Mr Diab said at a news conference that both Lebanon and Nigeria ensured safe return of the stranded citizens.
He said the operation would not have been possible without the sponsorship of the National Lebanese Airlines, the Lebanese community in Nigeria and Lebanese Embassy in Abuja.
The ambassador said the three assisted in funding and organising the repatriation and the 14-day quarantine of 50 of the 69 repatriated citizens over the coronavirus pandemic.
Diab said the other 19 Nigerians were sponsored by International Organisation on Migration.
“This operation resulted from extensive cooperation between the Embassy of Lebanon in Abuja and the Lebanese Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Nigerian counterpart, with assistance from other governmental authorities,” he said.
He listed the authorities to include the Lebanese Security General and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
Diab commended Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, for overseeing the operation and clearing all obstacles that could have jeopardised the success of the mission.
The ambassador said the commitment of the Lebanese and Nigerian governments to ensure that the Nigerian citizens were safely repatriated, was evidence of strong partnership based on the principles of mutual trust and respect for human lives.
He added that without the generous financial contribution of the Middle East Airlines and the Lebanese community in Nigeria, it would have been difficult to achieve success.
