Saint Lucians living and working in parts of the Middle East are witnessing scenes many never imagined they would experience firsthand, as armed conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran escalates.
Nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Cyprus have reached out to St. Lucia Times, sharing images and videos showing smoke trails from intercepted missiles and reporting loud explosions in the night sky. In one case, a Saint Lucian swimmer said she and her team were evacuated from the UAE as a precaution amid rising tensions.
As the conflict appears to be extending across neighbouring territories where Saint Lucians are present, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on Monday expressed what he described as “extreme concern” over the safety of nationals abroad.
Speaking at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Pierre said the government is actively monitoring developments.
“Anything we can do to assist them, within our capabilities, we will do. The Ministry of External Affairs has been asked to reach out to them. We hope that they can be safe,” the Prime Minister said.
With US officials declaring that it will “take time” to achieve the objectives of the military action, concerns remain about how long tensions could persist.
Pierre acknowledged that Saint Lucians overseas may be facing uncertainty through no fault of their own.
“That’s the sad part about it,” he said. “The Government is very concerned about our students, our workers and our people in the army.”
Shifting his focus to matters at home, the Prime Minister urged Saint Lucians to take greater responsibility in addressing national challenges, particularly during a time of global instability.
He implored citizens to “change our attitudes” toward issues affecting the country and to play a more active role in safeguarding Saint Lucia’s social and economic stability. While external conflicts may be beyond the island’s control, Pierre suggested that how Saint Lucians respond internally is firmly within their power.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
