More than 250 British nationals have left Lebanon on flights
chartered by UK Government. Any remaining British nationals who
want to leave are urged to register immediately, or to use
commercial routes.
The UK has chartered a flight to leave Beirut on
Sunday (Oct 6) as tensions in the region escalate.
There are no more scheduled flights, due to a decrease in demand.
However, the situation will be kept under constant review.
Any remaining British nationals who want to leave Lebanon
are urged to register with
the Government immediately.
The Government has been advising British nationals to leave
Lebanon since October last year due to a deteriorating security
situation. So far three chartered flights organised by
the Government have left Beirut, with a fourth to leave on
Sunday.
The Government added the extra capacity due to high demand
for places on commercial flights and has enabled more
than 250 additional people to leave in the last week.
The Government committed to charter flights as long as there
was demand and the security situation allows. However, demand has
now significantly reduced, and this Sunday's flight is
currently the only one scheduled.
Any British nationals who have not booked a place and still wish
to secure a seat on the flight are advised to
register immediately.
British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under
the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid
travel document.
Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid
visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more
than 6 months.
UK government officials have been working round the clock in
London, Beirut and the wider region to provide support to British
nationals. A FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has also arrived in
Lebanon to bolster the support offered by British Embassy
officials.
Foreign Secretary said:
The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, so I am glad that
we have helped the many people who have heeded our advice to
leave the country immediately.
With demand falling, and the security situation deteriorating,
there is no guarantee other options to
leave quickly will become available. I urge anyone who
wants to leave to register now.
Sunday's flight will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri
International Airport and British nationals who have registered
their presence with the Government will be sent details on how to
request a seat.
British nationals and their dependants should not travel to the
airport unless they have a seat booked on a plane.
The FCDO urges everyone to continue to follow the relevant travel
advice, exercise caution, and monitor media in Lebanon for
developments.
The safety of British nationals is the top priority and around
700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including
Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for
contingency planning.
The UK continues to call for a ceasefire between Lebanese
Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space
necessary to find a political solution that enables civilians on
both sides to return to their homes in
safety.
Notes to editors:
-
British nationals and dependants will be eligible to request
a space on the flight. Any non-British dependants will
require a visa to enter the UK, granted for a period of stay
in the UK of longer than 6 months, in line with usual
immigration rules and entry process.
-
The FCDO launched the Register Your
Presence service on Wednesday 25 September
2024.
-
A limited number of commercial flights are still operating
and the FCDO has been working with partners to increase
capacity to enable British nationals to
leave.
-
The FCDO has been advising British nationals to leave Lebanon
since October 2023.
