Families of Lebanese Expats in South Sudan Urge Mansour to 'Save' Their Relatives, FM Says None Harmed

The families of the Lebanese expats besieged in South Sudan urged the caretaker Foreign Minister on Tuesday to help their relatives return to Lebanon, amid intense fighting between rival groups in the African country.

"We call on Adnan Mansour to work hard on retrieving all the Lebanese stuck in (South Sudan's capital) Juba,” the families of the expats said in a released statement.

The statement added: “Lebanese expats' situation is at the heart of the FM's duties, especially of those besieged in Juba.”

"They asked us to convey their concerns over the unknown fate they are facing in a country currently experiencing a coup attempt."

"No one can guarantee their future amid the ongoing clashes."

Meanwhile, the state-run National News Agency reported later on Tuesday that Mansour is following-up on the situation of 900 Lebanese in Juba through various diplomatic means.

Mansour, who's currently on a visit to Ivory Coast's capital Abidjan, received a phone call from Lebanese businessman Ali Merhi who updated him on the situation of his fellow expats.

"All the Lebanese in Juba are in good condition,” Mansour was informed.

“None of them has been harmed and South Sudan's armed forces are providing protection for all foreigners in the country.”

Merhi, who has been a resident of Juba since 2006, also told the caretaker FM that he hosted 130 Lebanese and 50 Syrians and provided them with residence at a hotel he owns near the city's airport.

The fighting in Juba broke out on Sunday in a barracks close to the city center shortly before midnight and spread across the city, diplomats and witnesses said, adding that heavy machine guns and mortars were used.

The United Nations said hundreds of terrified civilians had sought refuge in a U.N. compound, while across the city residents locked themselves in their homes or tried to flee to safer areas, an Agence France Presse reporter said.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has accused troops loyal to his arch-rival, former vice president Riek Machar who was sacked from the government in July, of attempting a coup.