(Ottawa) Canada strongly condemns Iran’s missile attack on Israel, strikes that risk significantly destabilizing the region, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Tuesday.
“We unequivocally condemn these attacks,” said the head of Canadian diplomacy at a press briefing in the foyer of the House of Commons.
“Attacks by Iran will further destabilize the region […] “It’s a very, very dangerous moment right now in the Middle East, and our thoughts are with all those who are currently living there,” she continued.
To Canadians currently in Israel, “we will be ready to help you if you need help,” Minister Joly said. The region, as we know, is already greatly destabilized. Canada is therefore continuing its efforts to evacuate its nationals who are on Lebanese soil.
Over the weekend, 200 Canadians left the country aboard commercial planes flying between Beirut and Istanbul. A contingent of 200 people should leave this Tuesday, said Minister Joly, launching a new call to leave the country.
Around 4,000 Canadian nationals who are in Lebanon have requested information on assisted departures, according to the minister.
“We reached around 1,700 people by phone or online, and only 50% of them accepted the offer. I know it’s a difficult moment, I know it’s a difficult choice,” said Mélanie Joly.
“If you are offered a seat, if you are offered a ticket, please take it. The reality is that not all the offers that were made were accepted,” insisted Mélanie Joly.
Emergency debate in the Commons
It had already been determined, before the missiles began raining down in the skies of the Jewish state, that an emergency debate on the situation in Lebanon would be held in the House of Commons.
“At this critical moment for Israel and the region, the State of Israel calls on Canada to stand with it as a liberal democracy,” said Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed.