Prime Minister Keir Starmer once again urged British nationals still in the country to come forward to be evacuated…reports Asian Lite News
The government has confirmed its final charter plane to fly British nationals out of Lebanon as the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies and tensions in the region escalate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer once again urged British nationals still in the country to come forward to be evacuated.
“To everybody listening who may be in that position: now is the time to leave, we have got the plans in place. So please come forward and we can make sure that they are evacuated,” Starmer said.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said after a chartered flight leaves Beirut on Sunday, there are no more scheduled flights due to a decrease in demand. However, the situation will be kept under constant review as the UK urged all remaining British nationals who want to leave Lebanon to register with the government immediately.
“The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, so I am glad that we have helped the many people who have heeded our advice to leave the country immediately,” said Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
“With demand falling and the security situation deteriorating, there is no guarantee other options to leave quickly will become available. I urge anyone who wants to leave to register now,” Lammy said.
The government has been advising its nationals to leave Lebanon amid a deteriorating security situation: three chartered flights have left Beirut and more than 250 additional people have been able to leave the country in the last week.
British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible for Sunday’s flight, with dependents who are not British nationals requiring a valid visa. Sunday’s flight will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, and British nationals who have registered their presence with the government will be sent details on how to request a seat.
The FCDO said government officials have been working round the clock in London, Beirut and the wider region to provide support to British nationals. An FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has also arrived in Lebanon to bolster the support offered by British Embassy officials.
The government reiterated its call for a ceasefire between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel to provide the space necessary to find a political solution that enables civilians on both sides to return to their homes in safety amid air strikes and ground incursions as the conflict escalates.
Forces in Cyprus remain on standby
British military forces remain on standby as efforts continue to evacuate UK citizens from Lebanon, with more than 250 Britons already flown out amid escalating conflict in the region.
Elements from across the British Armed Forces have been deployed to Cyprus to prepare for a range of contingencies. Over 700 troops from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force are working alongside a Joint Task Force to ensure the safe evacuation of UK nationals should the need arise.
HMS Duncan and RFA Mounts Bay have also been dispatched to support any potential maritime operations as part of this effort. Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus this week to oversee preparations and meet personnel.
The task force has been coordinating closely with the UK government to provide options for evacuating citizens if the situation worsens further.
This latest flight from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport is expected to be the last for the time being, with the UK government citing “significantly reduced” demand. However, officials confirmed that the situation is under constant review, and more flights could be arranged if needed.
Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs and cut off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria. BBC teams in Beirut have reported that another strike has hit the Burj el Brajneh area, which is close to the airport.
More blasts in Beirut
A series of loud blasts was heard over southern Beirut in the early hours of Saturday morning, following Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military had earlier issued evacuation orders for parts of the capital’s southern suburbs. The first alert warned residents in a building in the Burj al-Barajneh neighbourhood and the second in a building in Choueifat district. The third alert mentioned buildings in Haret Hreik as well as Burj al-Barajneh.
Meanwhile, A South Korean military transport aircraft has evacuated 97 citizens and family members from Lebanon, the country’s foreign ministry said.
A KC-330 aircraft landed in Beirut on Friday morning and departed in the afternoon with the evacuees, who include Lebanese family members. The flight will arrive in the capital, Seoul, on Saturday afternoon.
South Korean diplomats stationed in Lebanon remained in the country, Yonhap news agency reported.
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