The UK government has chartered a flight to assist British nationals and their dependents in leaving Lebanon amid escalating violence in the region, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced on Monday, September 30. The flight is set to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday.
The chartered flight aims to meet the demand of British citizens who wish to leave Lebanon, with vulnerable individuals being prioritised. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is encouraging British nationals in Lebanon, who have not yet registered their presence, to do so immediately. This will ensure they receive details on how to request a seat on the flight. The government has stressed that only those with confirmed seats should make their way to the airport.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the urgency of the situation: “The situation in Lebanon is volatile and has the potential to deteriorate quickly. The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our utmost priority. 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 FCDO has been working in recent weeks to increase the availability of commercial flights for British nationals, and the newly chartered flight provides additional capacity for those seeking to leave Lebanon.
UK government officials have been working around the clock in London, Beirut, and the wider region to support British nationals. Last week, 700 troops were deployed to Cyprus alongside Border Force and Foreign Office officials to plan for a range of potential scenarios in the region. In addition, an FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has arrived in Lebanon to bolster support for British Embassy staff.
The UK government continues to call for a ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel, emphasizing that further escalation must be avoided. Foreign Secretary Lammy stated that a ceasefire would create the space needed to find a political solution in line with UN Resolution 1701.
The safety of British nationals in Lebanon, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remains the government’s utmost priority. The FCDO advises all British nationals to follow travel advice, exercise caution, and monitor media for updates on the situation.
