Swedes in Lebanon face uncertain future as government weighs evacuation options

Estimates suggest there are between 2,000 and 3,000 Swedes currently in Lebanon, though the government has not yet made a decision regarding any evacuation. Former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson emphasized that Swedes who chose to stay in Lebanon bear their own responsibility, but she believes that the government should prioritize the evacuation of children. “The Swedish children who may be in Lebanon did not go there by their own choice. It is not their decision,” she stated. She also mentioned that it is presumed the government is trying to assess how many children are in Lebanon and formulating a plan for their evacuation.

Jimmie Åkesson questioned why Swedes are even in Lebanon, expressing his lack of insight into Sweden’s foreign policy. “We have a significant number of individuals holding Swedish passports who shouldn’t have them. They came to Sweden as refugees and then chose to return to a country they fled from,” he said, posing the rhetorical question: “What on earth are they doing there?”

The party leaders additionally discussed economic matters and focused on recent developments concerning S-lotteries.