Britons are continuing to evacuate Lebanon, with the last flight scheduled to depart the war-torn country, as tensions escalate in the region. Over 250 UK citizens have already left the country on Government-chartered flights amidst the spiralling conflict. David Lammy, urging those wishing to leave to register promptly with the Foreign Office to secure a seat on the plane, cautioned that there were no guarantees of additional options. The UK has arranged a fourth flight to leave Beirut’s Rafic Hariri airport on Sunday, with the Government stating that no further flights are planned due to significantly reduced demand, but the situation will be continuously monitored.
Additional capacity has been facilitated by the Foreign Office to accommodate the high demand for seats on commercial flights, enabling over 250 more people to depart in the past week. However, with dwindling demand and worsening security conditions, Sunday’s flight currently stands as the sole scheduled option. Eligible passengers include British nationals, their spouses or partners, and children under 18, all of whom must possess valid travel documents. Dependents who are not UK citizens require a valid visa for a stay in the UK lasting more than six months.
Foreign Secretary, Mr. Lammy, highlighted the volatile situation in Lebanon and emphasized the importance of registering promptly for those seeking to leave. In response to concerns about shelter, water access, hygiene, and healthcare in Beirut, the Government announced an additional £10 million aid package. Efforts are underway to boost commercial flight capacity to assist in the evacuation process. Approximately 700 troops, along with personnel from the Foreign Office and Home Office, including Border Force officers, have been stationed in Cyprus in preparation for a potential emergency evacuation.
Sir Keir Starmer reinforced the call for British nationals remaining in Lebanon to come forward for evacuation. As Israel conducted heavy airstrikes in Beirut suburbs, cutting off the main border crossing to Syria, tensions continued to escalate in the region. The Israeli military reported Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel, further fueling the conflict between the two sides. Efforts by the UK to support evacuation and provide aid in the region remain ongoing as the situation unfolds.