The prime minister has told British nationals in Lebanon “now is the time to leave” after fighting intensified between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group which dominates the country.
Sir Keir Starmer said “we are ramping up the contingency plans, I think you’d expect that in light of the escalation”, and added that UK citizens should “leave immediately”.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is sending 700 troops to nearby Cyprus to prepare for the possible evacuation of British nationals from Lebanon and the government “continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon”.
The situation in the country, where Israeli strikes reportedly killed more than 560 people this week, is described as deteriorating “rapidly, with devastating consequences”.
Lebanon’s health minister has told the BBC what is happening in his country is “carnage”, as hospitals struggle to cope with the number of casualties from two days of widespread Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah.
Asked by reporters how the British prime minister would ensure the situation wasn’t a repeat of the chaos in the Afghan capital Kabul when the Taliban seized control in August 2021, Sir Keir said: “The most important message from me to British nationals in Lebanon is to leave immediately.
“It is important that we’ve been really, really clear: now is the time to leave.” A senior government source added that the difference, for now at least, was that there were commercial flights leaving Lebanon. Ministers have repeated their call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Defence Secretary John Healey said: “We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life.
“Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate. “I want to thank the British personnel who are deploying in the region for their commitment and professionalism.”
