The UK Foreign Office is now advising against all travel to Lebanon and has told Brits in the country to leave.
The new guidance, issued on Wednesday night, says: “You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.”
It also reiterated the message it gave in an earlier update on Tuesday that said British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO.
The FCDO said the new advice has been issued in response to the conflict in neighbouring Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, adding that staff at the British Embassy have been temporarily withdrawn, although the Embassy ‘continues with essential work including services to British nationals’.
It said: “FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. There are ongoing mortar, artillery exchanges and airstrikes in South Lebanon, on the border with Israel. Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon.
“There is also a risk of civil unrest. There have been large protests outside embassies, including outside the US and French embassies on 17 October. Further protests are expected. British Nationals should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held.”
It added: “Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning.
“Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed.”
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The new guidance, issued on Wednesday night, says: “You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.”
It also reiterated the message it gave in an earlier update on Tuesday that said British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO.
The FCDO said the new advice has been issued in response to the conflict in neighbouring Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, adding that staff at the British Embassy have been temporarily withdrawn, although the Embassy ‘continues with essential work including services to British nationals’.
It said: “FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. There are ongoing mortar, artillery exchanges and airstrikes in South Lebanon, on the border with Israel. Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon.
“There is also a risk of civil unrest. There have been large protests outside embassies, including outside the US and French embassies on 17 October. Further protests are expected. British Nationals should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held.”
It added: “Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning.
“Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed.”
The post Foreign Office tells Brits not to travel to Lebanon appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
