The UK has announced the deployment of hundreds of troops to Cyprus to assist its citizens in leaving Lebanon amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, urging British nationals there to depart immediately.
The British Foreign Office stated that while emergency plans are being formulated, about 700 soldiers supported by a border force will move to Cyprus in the coming hours. The Air Force also has transport aircraft on standby to provide support if necessary.
British Defense Minister John Healey remarked, “The events of the past hours and days have shown the seriousness of this situation, which is why our message is clear; British citizens should leave now.”
London has repeatedly urged its citizens to leave Lebanon over the past few months. Several airlines have suspended their flights to Beirut, and all commercial flights may soon be halted.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment of Lebanon since Monday morning has resulted in over 550 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in a speech at the General Assembly on Tuesday that “Lebanon is on the brink of the abyss,” expressing fears that the country could become “another Gaza.”
The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Lebanon on Wednesday, convened by France.
