At a conference at the Armenian Government today the question of assisting evacuation of Armenian citizens and Armenians from Lebanon was discussed. In the words of Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan, the situation in the region is very serious. Many Armenians live there, including Armenian citizens, and state support is necessary in that situation. Armenian Deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanyan briefed the participants of the session with latest developments in the region, emphasizing that twenty-four-hour duty at Armenian Embassies in Lebanon and Syria, as well as Consulate General in Aleppo has been organized since Monday. Two diplomats are additionally sent there to deal with evacuation of Armenian citizens and other issues. He also reported that 160 Armenian citizens have already arrived in Yerevan through Syria, while the 120-thousand Armenian community of Lebanon involves 1200 Armenian citizens: the numbers need to be checked. Gharibjanyan also noted that residence permit for 3 months will be provided free of charge to all those wishing to move to Armenia. There are many people on the Syrian border, thus Armenian MFA officers are charged to solve all problems operatively. In his turn Chief of the General Board of the Civil Aviation of Armenia Artem Movsisyan provided the table of flights to Syria, which can be increased if necessary. He said that as Yerevan-Beirut flight is not available, the number of air flights to Syria can be increased.
Besides, according to Gharibjanyan, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (GMT+4) a hot line is available: (37410) 58-60-17. The Armenian PM ordered to make an agreement with Armavia Air Company to organize flights to Syria, which will be partially funded by the Armenian Government if necessary. An instruction is given to provide medical and psychological assistance to those arriving, reports the Press Service of the Armenian Government.
