UK Government Charters Flight for Nationals Fleeing Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
The UK government has arranged a commercial flight to evacuate British nationals from Lebanon as fighting intensifies in the region, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Tuesday. This move comes amid a “volatile” situation, which Lammy warned could deteriorate rapidly following Israel’s announcement of a “localized and targeted” ground operation in southern Lebanon.
The flight, set to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday, is available to British citizens, their spouses or partners, and children under 18, with vulnerable individuals prioritized for seats. The UK government will cover the cost of chartering the flight, but passengers will be required to pay £350 per seat.
Lammy revealed that the government estimates between 4,000 and 6,000 British nationals and their dependents remain in Lebanon, urging them to leave as the security situation worsens. He emphasized the need for timely departures, stating, “I have been warning since coming into office in July that British nationals should leave Lebanon.”
In recent developments, Israel conducted air strikes in southern Beirut, prompting warnings for residents to evacuate. Lammy reiterated the UK’s long-standing advice against traveling to Lebanon and emphasized the urgency of the situation.
As for future flights, Lammy indicated that the government is exploring additional charter options but cautioned that the feasibility will depend on demand and security conditions on the ground. “We cannot anticipate the circumstances and the speed with which we can do that if things escalate in a major way,” he said.
Among those planning to leave Lebanon is Victoria Lupton, who expressed her frustration at the government’s previous message urging citizens to book their own flights, citing a lack of available options. Lupton, the founder of Seenaryo, a non-profit organization focused on education through theater, has struggled to find safety for her young family amid the ongoing turmoil. She shared her distress, stating, “All of us are feeling sick and living in a state of terror.”
The Israeli military’s recent operations are reportedly aimed at allowing around 60,000 displaced Israelis to return home, while Hezbollah has signaled readiness to confront any invasion.
The past two weeks have seen over 1,000 casualties in Lebanon, with reports of nearly a million people displaced. Amid these tensions, Lammy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have communicated about the escalating situation, urging for de-escalation and a political solution to the crisis.
In light of the ongoing violence, the UK Ministry of Defence has deployed nearly 700 troops to Cyprus in preparation for potential further evacuations. As the situation remains fluid, Lammy stressed the importance of a diplomatic resolution over military action, reflecting a broader international concern about the region’s stability.
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