The US embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens Saturday to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.
Despite flight suspensions and cancellations, “commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available”, the embassy statement said. “We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route.”
The UK government on Saturday urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, amid fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and a broader regional conflict.
“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement. “While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear –- leave now.”
Sweden was the first to shut down its embassy in Beirut fearing an escalation of hostilities. It urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on Saturday. It also relocated its embassy to Cyprus temporarily.
“The foreign ministry has instructed its staff to leave Beirut and travel to Cyprus, and the foreign ministry is planning a temporary relocation of its embassy,” Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Swedish Radio.
Tensions remain high in the region following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who Iran and the Palestinian militant group allege was killed by Israel. Israel has neither denied nor taken responsibility for Haniyeh’s death.
Iran has also accused the US of playing a role in Haniyeh’s death. The US has maintained that it neither is aware of nor was involved in Ismail Haniyeh’s killing.
The Pentagon said it was bolstering its military presence in the Middle East to protect US personnel and defend Israel.
An aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln will replace one helmed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the region, the Pentagon said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under United States European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the Middle East.
Iran has said that one of its proxies will now target Israel to seek revenge for the killing of Haniyeh. As per a report by news agency AFP, indications are that Lebanese group Hezbollah could be asked by Israel to carry out the attack.
Iran has asked the group to hit deeper inside Israel and to no longer be confined to military targets.
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