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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">July 16, 2006 <i>(1:40 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 82</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON EFFORTS TO SUPPORT
CANADIANS IN LEBANON</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement outlining current
efforts to support Canadians in Lebanon:</p>
<br>
<p>“As the situation in Lebanon worsens, we are providing even greater support to affected
Canadians. </p>
<br>
<p>“We are actively planning to assist those Canadian citizens in Lebanon who wish to
leave to do so, beginning with those whose needs are greatest. In order to achieve this,
we are securing commercial vessels and pre-positioning them off the coast of Lebanon.
We are also working to secure safe passage for these vessels. </p>
<br>
<p>“The government is also in the process of deploying additional support, including a
planning assistance team and more consular staff, to assist our efforts in the region. </p>
<br>
<p>“We are working around the clock and are in regular contact with Canadians registered
in Lebanon. Information about current efforts is being relayed through messages to
Canadians who have advised us of their presence in Lebanon. </p>
<br>
<p>“Our advice to Canadians in Lebanon remains that they should stay indoors and ensure
that their travel documents are up to date and readily accessible. We ask Canadians
not to proceed to the embassy at this time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“As many like-minded countries find themselves in the same situation as Canada, we
are actively discussing and coordinating efforts with them. Officials in Ottawa have been
in regular contact with their counterparts in other capitals.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221040936/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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