Ms al-Qunun’s case was referred to Australia by the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees who decided she was a genuine refugee.
However, The Australian reported the UNHCR withdrew its referral to this country, claiming Ms al-Qunun has said Canada was her first choice for a new home.
It was unclear for most of Friday evening what country the 18-year-old would end up in.
The Daily Mail reported Ms al-Qunun had already been granted resettlement in Australia — a claim The Australian said had been denied by government sources.
However Ms Alqunun’s father, a Saudi government official who has 10 children, has told Thai police that his daughter fled while on a family holiday to Kuwait simply because she “felt neglectedâ€, Nine News reports.
The man, who has not been identified, arrived in Bangkok with one of his sons on Tuesday evening with the intention of speaking with his daughter.
“The father and brother want to go and talk to Rahaf but the UN will need to approve such talk,†Surachte Hakpan, Thailand’s immigration chief, said.
Overnight, Ms Alqunun shared a smiling photo on Twitter saying she was “happy†after the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees decided she was a genuine refugee.
However, The Australian reported the UNHCR withdrew its referral to this country, claiming Ms al-Qunun has said Canada was her first choice for a new home.
It was unclear for most of Friday evening what country the 18-year-old would end up in.
The Daily Mail reported Ms al-Qunun had already been granted resettlement in Australia — a claim The Australian said had been denied by government sources.
However Ms Alqunun’s father, a Saudi government official who has 10 children, has told Thai police that his daughter fled while on a family holiday to Kuwait simply because she “felt neglectedâ€, Nine News reports.
The man, who has not been identified, arrived in Bangkok with one of his sons on Tuesday evening with the intention of speaking with his daughter.
“The father and brother want to go and talk to Rahaf but the UN will need to approve such talk,†Surachte Hakpan, Thailand’s immigration chief, said.
Overnight, Ms Alqunun shared a smiling photo on Twitter saying she was “happy†after the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees decided she was a genuine refugee.
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