Official announcements from the UK Ministry of Defence or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UK Urges Nationals to Leave Lebanon Immediately, Sends 700 Troops to Cyprus

Sep 24, 2024, 09:45 PM

The United Kingdom has urged its nationals to leave Lebanon immediately amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The UK Ministry of Defence is deploying 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a potential evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, advising Britons to leave Lebanon without delay. Defence Secretary John Healey also urged Britons to leave the crisis-torn country. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to advise against all travel to the country. Several squadrons of helicopters have been transferred to RAF Akrotiri to aid the evacuation. Approximately 10,000 British nationals are currently in Lebanon.