British nationals in Lebanon have been strongly urged to leave the country immediately as the UK government steps up its presence in the region in response to growing violence. Defence Secretary John Healey issued the warning as ministers and military officials roll out contingency plans to support British nationals amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
Over 700 UK troops are being deployed to Cyprus in the coming hours to bolster Britain’s preparedness should the situation worsen further. The move comes after a significant deterioration in the region, with more than 500 people reportedly killed in Lebanon in the last 24 hours.
As the situation remains highly volatile, military teams will be joined by officials from the Border Force and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to assist British citizens. The government has reaffirmed its advice against all travel to Lebanon, warning of rapidly escalating dangers.
In a statement, Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear: British nationals should leave now. We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life.”
Healey emphasised that the government is working to ensure all necessary preparations are in place to support British citizens should the situation further deteriorate. He also expressed his gratitude to the UK personnel deploying to the region, praising their professionalism and dedication.
The UK’s strategic presence in the region includes significant diplomatic and military resources, such as the RAF base at Akrotiri in Cyprus and Royal Navy vessels like RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan. These ships have remained in the eastern Mediterranean over the summer, offering support to British nationals and regional allies.
Additionally, the Royal Air Force has aircraft and transport helicopters on standby, ready to provide assistance if required. The UK government is taking precautionary steps to respond to any further escalation, with both the military and diplomatic channels actively preparing for a range of outcomes.
The call for British nationals to evacuate Lebanon comes in the wake of a high-level meeting chaired by Healey on Tuesday, where ministers, intelligence chiefs, and diplomats reviewed the latest developments and tested government plans for potential scenarios.
The rapidly worsening situation follows days of heavy fighting between Israeli and Lebanese forces, with cross-border violence intensifying and causing significant casualties. The UK government continues to push for an immediate ceasefire, calling on all sides to de-escalate and prevent further loss of life.
The evacuation warning signals a growing concern within the British government about the potential for the conflict to spiral out of control, and officials have stressed the need for urgent action to safeguard citizens in the region.
In the meantime, UK citizens in Lebanon are being advised to follow government updates closely and take immediate steps to leave the country while commercial routes remain available.
