BRITISH government is urging over 10,000 nationals to leave Lebanon immediately as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
The call follows growing concerns of a wider conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah. Defence secretary John Healey stressed the seriousness of the situation, warning that conditions in the region are rapidly deteriorating.
He advised all British citizens to exit Lebanon on commercial flights while they are still available, as the threat of war looms.
Meanwhile, Britain is moving troops to Cyprus to help its nationals leave Lebanon, as prime minister Keir Starmer warned that the escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah was pushing the region towards the brink.
Members of the Israeli Army and police remove debris from a rocket at the scene of a damaged home following a rocket attack from Lebanon in northern Israel, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart.The government said that 700 troops would travel to Cyprus, bolstering its presence in the area where it already has two Royal Navy ships, aircraft and transport helicopters.
"Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now," said Healey.
"Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate."
Keir Starmer reinforced the urgency of the situation, stating that the government is ramping up contingency measures in case the violence escalates. "Now is the time to leave," he urged, highlighting the volatility of the region.
Starmer said he was very concerned that the region was spiralling out of control.
"All parties need to pull back from the brink," he said in an interview with LBC radio. "I'm obviously going to New York to the UN General Assembly to talk to colleagues and allies, but my message will be very much ceasefire. Pull back from the brink. De-escalate the situation."
Security officials have convened to discuss potential evacuation strategies for British nationals, acknowledging the challenges such a mission could pose.
The government continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon, and British officials are urging those still in the country to depart as soon as possible.
Israel's offensive since Monday (23) morning has killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, Health Minister Firass Abiad has said.
Thousands of displaced people who fled from southern Lebanon were sheltering in schools and other buildings.
Israel has said it is shifting its focus from Gaza to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.
(with inputs from Reuters)
