RIYADH: France thanked Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after French Navy frigate Lorraine evacuated UN staff from Sudan to the Kingdom. French Ambassador to the Kingdom Ludovic Pouille hailed the operation as “a stunning success, highlighting the excellent cooperation between France, Saudi Arabia and the UN in this evacuation.” He expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for its crucial role in the operation and hosting the evacuees with “such generosity in the tradition of the Kingdom.” He also thanked Lorraine crew members. The UN had requested assistance from the French government as escalating security concerns in Sudan put the safety of the organization’s personnel at risk. The organization expressed its appreciation for the swift and effective response of the French government in organizing the evacuation and ensuring the safety of its staff. Lorraine departed from Port Sudan on Tuesday carrying UN staff and humanitarian workers. Some 398 passengers from 64 countries including six French nationals were on board. The ship sailed from Port Sudan across the Red Sea. It arrived in Jeddah Islamic Port on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. The evacuees disembarked and were provided with the necessary assistance and support from Saudi authorities. They were warmly greeted and offered medical assistance, food and shelter on arrival. French Consul General in Jeddah Catherine Corm-Kammoun and a consular and embassy team assisted French nationals and coordinated the vessel’s arrival.