The Ministry of Foreign Affairs understands the frustration of many stranded Swedes – but the situation needs to be put into perspective.

”"I think it's good to think about the enormous human suffering in Iran and throughout the region," says Foreign Minister Svante Liljegren to Aftonbladet.

Early Sunday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' chartered plane, carrying Swedes stranded in Dubai, landed at Arlanda.

Several media outlets have reported criticism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' handling of the situation. This concerns a lack of information, the fact that it took a long time to act, and the fact that anyone who wanted to travel on the chartered plane had to swipe to get a seat – around 12,000 kronor for an adult and 9,000 for children over two years old.

”"I understand that you are frustrated. But I think it is good to think that there is enormous human suffering in Iran and in the entire region. To then put yourself at the center with those types of complaints. They fade quite quickly if you put it in perspective that it is a war," says Svante Liljegren, the Swedish Foreign Ministry's head of consular affairs, to Aftonbladet.

Liljegren also emphasizes that there has been an emergency force in place, and that the authority regularly sends information to those who have signed up for the Swedish list.

Source:DI.SE-TT