“It’s important we be clear – now is the time to leave,” says UK Prime Minister, addressing Britons in Lebanon.
By World Israel News Staff
The UK government announced that 700 British army soldiers will be deployed to Cyprus to assist in the immediate evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon.
Cyprus, an island nation in the Mediterranean, is a 30-minute flight from Lebanon, and can also be reached by boat in some 12 hours.
There are some 10,000 British nationals thought to currently be present in Lebanon.
Military personnel will be supported by Border Force and Foreign Office officials, the government added in a statement.
The Royal Air Force is also dispatching aircraft and helicopters to the region.
“It is important that we be really, really clear: now is the time for [UK citizens] to leave” Lebanon, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Starmer added that the government is “ramping up the contingency plans” for repatriating British citizens from Lebanon “in light of the escalation” between Hezbollah and Israel, he added.
“Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now,” said Defense Secretary John Healey.
“We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life. Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate. I want to thank the British personnel who are deploying in the region for their commitment and professionalism.”
Following the Hezbollah beeper explosions last week, Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged UK citizens to depart the country.
“My message to British nationals in Lebanon is leave while commercial options remain,” he wrote on X last Thursday. “Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly.”
The UK government “continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon,” according to its website.