Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal has urged over 17 lakh Nepalis in the Middle East to stay safe by following the respective countries’ security directives.

The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the security of Nepali nationals in the area was the top priority, urging them to adopt security alertness. The situation in the Middle East has been tense since the United States and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran on Saturday and Tehran retaliated.

At a press conference organized by the Ministry today, Joint Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal said that the Nepali nationals are safe in the area so far. The government of Nepal is closely watching the developments. We urge the concerned countries to take information about the security information and follow it. ”

Joint Secretary Dhal said that the Ministry is forming a ‘Rapid Action Team’ to address such incidents.

There are 6 in Iran, 6,500 in Israel, 500 in Egypt, 25,000 in Oman, 357,000 in Qatar, 175,000 in Kuwait, 3,000 in Jordan, 28,000 in Bahrain, 384,865 in Saudi Arabia, 478,144 in the United Arab Emirates, 1,500 in Lebanon, 30,000 in Iraq and 17,000 in Cyprus.

Spokesperson at the Ministry Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said the government was doing the necessary works and initiatives for the safety of the Nepalis in the area. He urged the Nepali citizens in the UAE to stay safe inside the home, follow the information and stay in contact with the Embassy and Ministry in case of any emergency.

Chief of Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division, Ramkaji Shrestha, said that information has been issued from eight embassies and two consular services in the region for the safety of Nepali citizens. Meanwhile, the Ministry has also issued an advisory urging all to strictly follow the directives and information related to security.

“As far as possible, stay indoors, stay alert, take necessary precautions and stay in regular contact with the Nepali community in your area. Do not travel unnecessarily without the prior approval of the concerned authority. Please stay in constant touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu, the Embassy of Nepal in Tel Aviv and the Embassy of Nepal in Doha.

It is stated that Nepalis who are preparing to go to the destination countries with visa and ticket after the developments in the Middle East, who have reached the airport to go to the destination countries and those stranded at transit airport to go to Europe and America have been facing hardships.