Nearly 20,000 French nationals have been repatriated from the Middle East since war erupted on 28 February, according to the government. Some 400,000 French citizens lived in or were visiting countries in the Gulf and Middle East when the United States and Israel launched their strikes on Iran.
Paris has helped 2,000 citizens return on specially chartered flights, while an additional 17,000 flew back on commercial services between the Middle East and France that resumed at the government's request, spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
