Britons in Lebanon urged to leave as...

UK government officials warned that situation "could deteriorate rapidly"

Britons in Lebanon have been urged to leave the country while commercial travel options remain available.

The UK government call came as ministers warned that the situation in the country “could deteriorate rapidly” amid heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.

The UK continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon and advises British nationals still in the country to “leave now”.

The US, Australia, Sweden, France, Italy, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are among other countries to have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.

Flights from Beirut airport were continuing to operate to multiple destinations today (Monday 5 August), including Middle East Airlines services to London. However, the carrier warned of delays affecting some services to and from the Lebanese capital.

MEA said delays were due to “technical reasons related to the distribution of insurance risks for aircraft between Lebanon and other destinations”.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson, said: “We are deeply concerned with the highly volatile security situation in Lebanon. The safety of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have deployed additional consular officials, Border Force and UK military personnel to the region.

“We have also temporarily withdrawn the families of officials working at the British Embassy Beirut. The embassy continues to provide support to British nationals.

“The situation will continue to be monitored closely. All British nationals should leave Lebanon now, while commercial routes are still available.”

The FCDO spokesperson added that it “advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hizballah and other non-state actors in Lebanon".

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