Tension in the Middle East as embassies evacuate staff from Lebanon

Admin I Sunday, August 03, 2024

BEIRUT – Foreign embassies in Lebanon have given a marching order to their staff to immediately evacuate from Lebanon.

The foreign embassies gave the orders in the face of an imminent war by Iran along with its allies, the Houthis of Yemen, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and others with Israel for the assassination of Hezbollah leader in Beirut and the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Almost every country in the arab world has condemned assassination of Haniyeh, who has been in the fore front of negotiations with Israel for ceasefire in Gaza.

Already, the French government has called on all of its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country due to risk of military escalation. It also advised French citizens against travelling to Lebanon.

Norway, Poland, South Korea, and Italy have also called on their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

The Russian embassy in Beirut made similar calls on Russian citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut requested all Americans still in Lebanon to purchase any available airline ticket that they can, even if it does not Immediately depart or fly to their Intended destination.

The embassy is also offering repatriated loans to those who are unable to afford a flight.

The Embassy further states that U.S. Military-Assisted Evacuations are rare and should not be expected, though Americans should be prepared for if they are Ordered.

The government of United Kingdom is not left alone. It has called on British nationals in Lebanon to leave with immediate effect.

Besides, Border Force, consular officials and military personnel are being deployed to the Middle East to support British embassy staff.