Nations worldwide have prepared contingency plans to evacuate citizens from Lebanon after a dramatic escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah, backed by Iran.
Although no country has launched a large-scale military evacuation yet, some are chartering aircraft.
Britain, for instance, has chartered a limited number of flights for citizens to leave Lebanon. More than 150 British nationals and dependents left Beirut on a government-chartered flight on Wednesday.
The United States has ordered dozens of troops deployed to Cyprus to help prepare for scenarios such as an evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. It is working with airlines to add flights out of Lebanon, with more seats for Americans, the State Department said on Tuesday
Australia has organised hundreds of airline seats for its citizens to leave Lebanon, flying military aircraft to Cyprus in a contingency plan.
Plans could include evacuation by sea, though Australian authorities have urged an estimated 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains open.
Germany’s foreign ministry said it was flying another 219 nationals out of Lebanon on Friday as it continues to evacuate non-essential staff, families of embassy workers and medically vulnerable nationals. It said it would support others trying to leave.
Japan dispatched two C-2 military transport aircraft to Lebanon on Thursday. The planes are standing by for the evacuation of Japanese nationals. There are 40 to 50 Japanese citizens in Lebanon.
More than 200 Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated by the government, the official Xinhua news agency said.
