Lebanon: Which countries are urging their citizens to evacuate now?

France and Italy are the latest governments to urge their citizens in Lebanon, to leave the country due to escalating tensions, in the Middle East.

This announcement was made by their respective foreign ministries on Sunday, citing the potential risk of military escalation in the region.

In separate travel advisories, the French foreign ministry recommended that citizens residing in Iran temporarily leave the country due to the risk of airspace closures. French citizens travelling in Iran were advised to leave as early as Friday.

The ministry also urged its citizens in Lebanon, particularly those on short trips, to take advantage of commercial flights still available to depart the country.

Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, took to X (formerly Twitter) to caution Italians temporarily in Lebanon against travelling to the south of the country and to return to Italy promptly via commercial flights “given the deteriorating situation.” He added, “We also call on Italian tourists not to travel to Lebanon.”

Visto l’aggravarsi della situazione, invitiamo gli italiani che soggiornano temporaneamente in #Libano a non recarsi assolutamente nel Sud del Paese ed a rientrare in Italia con voli commerciali il più presto possibile.Numero Unità di crisi Farnesina +390636225

— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) August 4, 2024

Air France announced on Saturday, that it, along with its affiliate Transavia, was extending the suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least August 6.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed their concern over the rising tensions in the Middle East during a phone call on Saturday.

US and UK issue travel advisories

The US issued an updated travel advisory to its citizens in Lebanon on August 3, urging them to leave the country.

The advisory warned of potential flight disruptions due to heightened regional tensions. The advisory read, “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 alert added, “We recommend that US citizens who choose not to depart Lebanon prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period of time.”

The warnings followed the US decision to send additional warships to the Middle East, marking one of the largest deployments of US forces to the region since the early days of the Gaza conflict. White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer stated on Sunday, that the US and Israel are preparing for “every possibility”, after deploying additional military assets.

Other countries, including the UK, also issued urgent travel advisories, advising their citizens to avoid or leave Lebanon immediately.

The UK Foreign Office updated its advisory, urging British nationals to exercise extreme caution and avoid “all travel to Lebanon.”

Global calls for evacuation

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a video message urging Australians in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible. “My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and thinking of travelling to Lebanon – do not,” she stated.

My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is now is the time to leave. pic.twitter.com/74DNfh1UNz

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 31, 2024

Global Affairs Canada, similarly, advised Canadians to leave Lebanon while commercial flights remain available. Charlotte MacLeod, a spokesperson for the department, stressed, “Canadians in Lebanon should leave now by commercial means if they can do so safely. They should also ensure their travel documents, and those of their spouse and children, are up to date and secure.”

The situation in Lebanon is volatile and unpredictable. Canadians, permanent residents and their spouse and dependent children in Lebanon should ensure their travel documents to Canada are up to date. https://t.co/CMTc42SWkI

If you or any members of your family do not have valid…

— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) July 30, 2024

The Indian embassy in Lebanon advised Indian nationals to limit their movements and avoid non-essential travel. The embassy statement read, “All Indian nationals in Lebanon are advised to exercise caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Beirut.”

Advisory for Indian Nationals. pic.twitter.com/baGPhNpKip

— India in Lebanon (@IndiaInLebanon) July 31, 2024

Jordan’s foreign ministry also urged its nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately and advised against any planned travel to Lebanon due to the current regional developments.

Turkish advisory

Turkey updated its travel advisory for Lebanon, urging its citizens to leave while commercial flights are still operational.

The advisory posted by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli on X stated, “Our citizens should avoid traveling to Lebanon unless it is essential; our citizens in Lebanon are advised to be cautious, not to go to Nabatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel provinces unless necessary, and those who do not need to stay in Lebanon are advised to leave Lebanon, if possible, while commercial flights are still continuing.”

Read: Beirut flights cancelled; US issues Lebanon travel advisory