The UK Foreign Office has urged Brits to ‘leave’ Lebanon, adding they ‘should not rely on’ the UK government to evacuate them in an emergency.
It comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hizballah and other non-state actors in Lebanon.
Brits are advised against all travel to the area following recent mortar and artillery exchanges, large scale protests, and airstrikes, with authorities warning ‘tensions are high’.
“In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice, and roads across the country could be closed,” the warning continues.
“The British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave.
“Do not rely on FCDO being able to evacuate you in an emergency.”
Israel has claimed it killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukur, in an airstrike on a south Beirut suburb.
It was launched in retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 children at the weekend. Shukur, also known as Hajj Mohsin, served as right hand man to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Israel’s military spokesperson R Adm Daniel Hagari said in a late night briefing.
“The IDF will not tolerate terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. We have been responding to these attacks with precise strikes on Hezbollah commanders, terror operatives and military infrastructure in Lebanon,” Hagari said on Wednesday.
