Britain announced on Thursday it would charter additional flights from Lebanon to evacuate its citizens.
The UK Foreign Office said flights will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport starting Thursday, following an initial charter flight on Wednesday. The evacuation operation will continue “for as long as the security situation allows”.
“Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of the situation in Lebanon”, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. “The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our number one priority.”
Around 700 personnel, including troops and staff from the Foreign Office and Home Office, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning. A Foreign Office Rapid Deployment Team has also arrived in Lebanon to support British Embassy officials.
British nationals eligible for evacuation include their spouses, partners, and children under 18. The Foreign Office noted passengers must hold valid travel documents, with non-British dependants requiring a visa granted for a UK stay exceeding six months.
Defence Secretary John Healey visited Cyprus on Wednesday to meet UK military personnel and held discussions with Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.
The UK government has been advising British nationals to leave Lebanon since October 2023. Lammy urged all remaining British nationals to “register with the FCDO and leave the country immediately”.
Britain continues to advocate for a ceasefire between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel, stating it would provide “the space necessary to find a political solution in line with Resolution 1701”.
The Foreign Office launched a Register Your Presence service for British nationals in Lebanon on September 25.
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