Due to the escalated conflict in the Middle East and the tense situation between Israel and Iran, it was unclear whether the three-day official state visit to Jordan will take place.
At noon on Wednesday, the Zarzuela court announced that King Felipe VI is traveling alone to Jordan. At the same time, he shortens his visit. Instead of three days, it will be just two days.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia planned to visit Jordan from Saturday to Monday. It would be their first official visit to Jordan.
Due to the tense situation, Jordan closed its airspace after Iran’s military offensive against Israel.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares travels with the king.
Attention
The official state visit to Jordan is expected to receive a lot of attention. King Felipe meets Queen Rania of Jordan who is an important person in the Middle East not only as royalty, she is one of those who have spoken out about the war between Israel and Palestine both in international talks and in interviews.
On site in Lebanon are 669 soldiers from Spain who are part of a UN force, the majority of which are in Marjayún in the eastern part of the country.
Two more flights to evacuate
After Israel launched an operation against the Shiite militia Hezbollah, the Spanish government has been put in a difficult dilemma. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares assured yesterday that, if necessary, he would activate an evacuation plan for the Spanish citizens who are in the country – around a thousand, the majority of whom have dual citizenship – but in addition to these there are also 669 Spanish soldiers.
Germany, Portugal, Britain and even the United States had already started on Monday to bring home citizens from the country or at least the non-essential staff of their embassies such as family members of diplomats.
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced that the Spanish Air Force will send two flights to Lebanon’s capital Beirut on Thursday to evacuate 350 Spanish citizens who wish to leave the country, according to information at the Spanish Embassy in Beirut that the ABC daily newspaper refers to.
(The text has been updated)
Ola Josefsson
Covering the Sunshine Coast and Spain since 1994.
