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News Release
Canadian Government Deploys Military to Assist With Departure of Canadians in Lebanon
NR-06.042 - July 20, 2006
OTTAWA - The Canadian government is sending an additional 70 Canadian Forces (CF) members to Larnaca, Cyprus to assist the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in facilitating the departure of Canadian citizens from Lebanon.
The additional members will join 30 CF personnel from Joint Task Force Lebanon already in the region assisting Canadian Embassy staff to ensure Canadians are evacuated.
"The military is working with other government agencies to ensure the safe return of Canadian citizens back to Canada," said the Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence.
"The deployment of additional troops to the area will increase the government's efforts and that of our Canadian embassy in Lebanon," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "This military contribution is an addition to the government's ongoing efforts to bring Canadians home safely."
The CF troops are leaving at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2006, from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario. The CC-150 Airbus flying CF personnel to Cyprus will bring evacuees from the area back to Canada.
The 100-person contingent is composed of a headquarters element, telecommunications specialists, a medical section, naval liaison officers, security and movement control personnel.
A portion of the contingent will remain in Larnaca while others will proceed to Beirut to support DFAIT in the departure of Canadian citizens.
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Note to editors: For further information on CF activities in support of DFAIT, please contact the Media Liaison Office at 613-996-2353 or 613-996-2354.
For further information on DFAIT activities, please contact the DFAIT media relations office at 613-995-1874.
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