There are concerns about rising violence in the Middle East after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut at the weekend.
The UK government has chartered a commercial flight out of Lebanon for Britons wanting to leave amid escalating violence.
The plane is due to take off from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday with vulnerable British nationals and their spouses, partners and children under 18 to be prioritised, the Foreign Office said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the situation in Lebanon “is volatile and has potential to deteriorate quickly” and the safety of British citizens there “continues to be our utmost priority”.
He added: “That’s why the UK government is chartering a flight to help those wanting to leave. It is vital that you leave now as further evacuation may not be guaranteed.”
The cost of charter flights will be covered by the government, but potential passengers will pay a fee of 350 pounds per seat.
Commercial flights continue to operate and the Foreign Office is working with partners to expand capacity to allow British nationals to leave the country, it said.
Concerns of escalating violence in the Middle East have been raised after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike on Beirut last weekend.
Amid growing fears that escalating hostilities could lead to an all-out regional war, the Iran-backed militant group has responded by saying it is ready to fight if Israel launches a ground attack.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Lamy said the government had set up a rapid reaction task force to help the estimated 5,000 British nationals in Lebanon. 700 troops were stationed in Cyprus and seats had been booked on commercial flights to bring them home.
The Foreign Secretary called on those wishing to flee to take advantage of this assistance immediately. If the conflict escalates, the Government may not be able to protect them.
Asked what he would say to Britons who have not heeded his advice so far, he replied:
“We are doing all we can to protect British nationals and have plans in place to do so, but we cannot predict how quickly we will be able to do so if the situation deteriorates significantly in the coming hours and days.” It was announced today that Israeli special forces are conducting search operations in Lebanon ahead of a possible ground offensive.
Reports of heavy shelling in border towns in southern Lebanon came on Monday evening after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned that “the next phase of the war against Hezbollah will soon begin.”
Lamy spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday evening, saying both were “concerned” about the situation and urged de-escalation.
Asked if military aid could be sent to Israel in the event of an Iranian attack, Lamy said he met with Iran’s foreign minister last week and “called on Iran to exercise restraint.”
“As you can imagine, we will continue to be in contact with Iran in the coming hours,” he added.
Asked if he agreed with US President Joe Biden that the killing of Hassan Nasrallah was “an instrument of justice,” Lamy said, “I am not mourning the death of the head of a banned terrorist organisation, but I am mourning the death of the head of a banned terrorist organisation, and the civilians who have lost their lives in the bloodshed of the past few days.”
