As Israel attacks targets in central Beirut, the UK Foreign Office has run the first evacuation fliight from Lebanon to help British citizens, their spouses and children under 18 to leave the country. The plane from Beirut touched down at Birmingham airport on Wednesday evening.
It is nine weeks since the foreign secretary, David Lammy, first urged UK nationals to leave Lebanon while they could. Sir Kier Starmer reiterated the call last month.
The Foreign Office “advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the ongoing conflict between Israel, Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors in Lebanon, and advises anyone in Lebanon to leave now”.
The preferred method is by a commercial flight. But options are extremely limited, with almost all airlines cancelling flights in and out of the capital, Beirut.
Seven hundred British troops have been sent to Cyprus to prepare for a possible evacuation of around 6,000 Britons from Lebanon.
The Foreign Office says: “There are ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges and air strikes in Lebanon, primarily on the boundary with Israel but also in other parts of the country, including Beqaa Valley and locations north of the Litani river.
“Southern Beirut has been repeatedly targeted by air strikes, including an attack on 20 September which injured hundreds.
“Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon.
“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.
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign Office.
“Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.”
But how is it possible to leave? These are the key questions and answers.
Is Beirut airport still open?
Yes. Rafic Hariri International Airport is operating – but far from normally.
MEA, the Lebanese national carrier, is running a full programme of flights, including the usual morning departures to London Heathrow. According to data from Flightradar24, the only other departures have been of private jets and some government aircraft flown in to bring citizens out.
The UK government stresses…
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