As War Looms, US & UK Direct Citizens To Leave Lebanon With ‘Any Ticket Available’

New Delhi: Amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, and a broader conflict in the Middle East, the United States and United Kingdom governments have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available.”

The US Embassy in Lebanon said that though some airlines have already suspended operations in the country, flights are still available and citizens should book any flight available out of the country, reported AFP.

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“US Embassy Beirut notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route,” the US Embassy in Beirut said.

The UK government has also instructed all British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.

“Tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. While we are working round the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear – leave now,” British Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement.

On Monday, India advised all its nationals in Lebanon and those planning to travel to exercise caution.

Tensions escalated further between Iran and Israel later in the week after Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a strike in Iran.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered his forces to strike Israel directly as a retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing in Tehran.