The UK government is urging all British nationals to leave Lebanon immediately, as the situation in the region escalates. In response to rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon, the government is reinforcing its contingency planning and military presence.
Key updates:
- British nationals in Lebanon are advised to leave immediately.
- Approximately 700 UK troops will be deployed to Cyprus to support British nationals in the region.
- The UK government continues to push for an immediate ceasefire as violence escalates, with over 500 fatalities in Lebanon in the past 24 hours.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP stated:
“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. Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate.”
The military teams deployed to Cyprus will be supported by Border Force and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) officials. RAF Akrotiri and Royal Navy ships RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan are already positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, ready to provide further assistance if needed. Aircraft and transport helicopters are also on standby.
This heightened contingency follows a government meeting, led by the Defence Secretary, with intelligence officials and diplomats to test emergency plans. The government advises against all travel to Lebanon as conditions continue to worsen.
For more information, visit Gov.uk for the latest travel advice.