Smoke is seen rise from buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, on April 22, 2023. (Credit: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)
While several Arab and Western countries have begun to evacuate their nationals from Sudan, where fighting has been raging for more than a week between the army and paramilitaries, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Lebanese nationals wishing to leave Sudan can do so "by land, via the Egyptian border," but that the journey would be "at their own risk" and subject to authorization from the Egyptian authorities.
Violence broke out in Sudan on April 15 between the army of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, Sudan's de facto ruler since a 2021 coup overthrew the government of Omar al-Bashir, and his deputy-turned-rival, Gen. Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
"Lebanese in Sudan who want to travel by land, at their own risk, to the Egyptian border are invited to send a copy of their passport to the Lebanese Embassy in Cairo, via WhatsApp, to the number of Consul Ibrahim Sharara +20 122 011 3222," Lebanon's Foreign Ministry said in a statement published by Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.
The border crossing through which they intend entering Egyptian territory must also be specified, the statement added.
"Only the Egyptian authorities have the prerogative to give permission to enter their territory, and the Lebanese Embassy in Cairo will immediately confirm the decision of the authorities in this regard," the text continued.
The ministry also advised people to travel to the border "via public transport and not in their personal vehicles" for their own safety.
On Friday night, the ministry announced in a separate statement that it was coordinating with the Lebanese Embassy in Khartoum and Lebanon's Higher Relief Committee to identify all Lebanese wishing to leave Sudan "as soon as the security and logistical conditions allow."
"Communication channels are open with friendly countries, including France, to evacuate Lebanese in case evacuation routes are set up for foreign nationals," the statement from the ministry added.
On Saturday, about 50 Saudi and other nationals were evacuated by boat to Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi state television channel al-Ekhbariyah. Another 100 people from 11 countries were expected to arrive in Jeddah later in the day aboard four ships, the Saudi channel added.
AFP meanwhile, cited the Sudanese army as announcing that "the United States, the United Kingdom, France and China will evacuate their diplomats and nationals aboard military aircraft." For several days, the United States, South Korea and Japan have deployed forces in neighboring countries, and European Union countries are considering taking similar measures to evacuate their diplomats and nationals from Sudan.
