Algerian and Maghreb nationals established in Yemen were repatriated late Saturday afternoon to Algiers as part of a humanitarian operation, following the deteriorating security situation in the country.
This operation, carried out on the instructions of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika has concerned 160 Algerians, 40 Tunisians, 15 Mauritanians, 8 Libyans, 3 Moroccans and 1 Palestinian, who arrived in Algiers on board an aircraft of Air Algeria Company.
Those nationals were greeted on arrival at the Houari Boumediene international airport by Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Condition Mounia Meslem.
"Thanks to the mobilization of all sectors, we were able to repatriate our nationals and other Arab nationals in extremely difficult security and climate conditions in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa," said Lamamra in a statement to the press.
He indicated that this operation was conducted on the instruction of President who "followed its progress during past days."
This is a "humanitarian action that allowed the repatriation of Algerian nationals established in Yemen and all members of the consulate of Algeria in Sanaa as well as an important number of our brothers from Tunisia, Mauritania, Morocco, Libya and Palestine," the minister said, adding that" they are well arrived in Algiers from Sanaa via Cairo. "
On a question on whether similar operations would be conducted, Lamamra said that "all the Algerians living in Yemen and having expressed the will to return home have been repatriated." Algeria remains "mobilized to protect its citizens wherever they are," he stressed.
For her part, Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Condition said that all conditions have been met so that our Arab brothers who were repatriated can return safely to their countries.
After welcoming all Algerian and Arab nationals, Lamamra and Meslem thanked Air Algerie plane's crew.
In a statement to APS, Lamamra "thanked the members of the crew headed by Mourad Lamraoui who took risks and demonstrates proven expertise in this operation."