The first flight carrying British citizens out of Lebanon has landed in the UK as the conflict in the middle east continues to intensify.
The plane landed in Birmingham at around 8pm on Wednesday night after departing from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International, with women, children and vulnerable citizens given priority by the Foreign Office.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the safety of British citizens in Lebanon ‘continues to be our utmost priority’ and that more chartered flights will leave over the coming days.
He added: ‘The situation in Lebanon is volatile and has potential to deteriorate quickly. 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.’
But while the government paid to charter the flight, passengers onboard were forced to shell out £350 each in order to secure priority seating.
There are around 4,000 to 6,000 Brits believed to still be in Lebanon, many of whom have been left unable to book flights out of the country due to cancellations and skyrocketing prices.
When asked what he would say to British nationals who have not yet fled the country, Lammy said: ‘I urge them to leave because the situation on the ground is fast-moving.
‘While we will do everything we can to protect British nationals and those plans are in place to do so, we cannot anticipate the circumstances of the speed with which we could do that if things escalate in a major way over the coming hours and days.’
Defence secretary John Healey met with hundreds of British troops based in Cyprus this week to brief them on a potential evacuation.
Mr Healey said: ‘They briefed me on the plans, they are ready to go if needed. I have every confidence in our ability to do the job if required. But for now our government advice to all Brits in Lebanon is get out now.
‘It’s vital that we as nations, if we have to, are able to get our nationals out of Lebanon safely. Israel understands that, they understand that well, and we will continue to make that case.’
Elsewhere in Beirut, people are shelling out thousands of pounds to secure a seat on private luxury yachts departing from Lebanon to nearby Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency sources, up to seven boats from Lebanon are docking daily at the Ayia Napa marina, transporting Europeans and embassy staff.
So far, 30 boats have arrived, with the marina fully prepared to accommodate the continued influx.
The Israeli military has warned people in Lebanon to evacuate around 50 villages and towns in the south as it intensifies its bombing campaign against Hezbollah and prepares for a full-scale invasion of the sovereign nation.
Airstrikes in Beirut have displaced millions and forced people to congregate in the centre of the Lebanese capital, as people seek to flee the besieged country.
Around 1,900 people have been killed and an estimated 9,000 people have been wounded by the IDF across Lebanon in recent months, with Israeli president Benjamin Netenyahu vowing to increase military action against Hezbollah.
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