Supporting British Nationals in Lebanon

Foreign Secretary David Lammy outlines how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is supporting British Nationals in Lebanon.

"How will they contact the Embassy for information?"

"How will they get to a departure point safely?"

"How will we know if everyone leaving has the right to enter the UK?"

"Which airlines are still running?"

Right now, these are the questions the Foreign Office has to answer for British Nationals who may get trapped in a conflict in Lebanon.

We and our partners are pressing for de-escalation. I have visited Lebanon and Qatar. I have spoken to many counterparts, including in Israel, Iran, Jordan and Cyprus.

But the risks are clear. I have therefore told British Nationals in Lebanon directly: you should leave now, while commercial flights are still available.

I hope they will all heed this message. But I am absolutely focused on ensuring we are as prepared as possible if conflict breaks before everyone can get out.

I have been Foreign Secretary for just over a month. It is the honour of my life to lead the dedicated, expert Foreign Office staff at such a pivotal time.

I had some sense of their professionalism from my time in Opposition. Nevertheless, it has been a real privilege to see our crisis structures kick into gear as tensions in the Middle East have risen. Together with Cabinet colleagues, we have been testing our preparedness, trying to think through all possible scenarios and have robust contingency plans.?

If there is an escalation, we cannot guarantee we will be able to evacuate everyone straight away. Exit routes, including roads, could be limited or closed with little warning.? Individuals may have to shelter in place. That is why we have been advising British Nationals to leave immediately.?

But I have sent additional consular staff to the region, including Lebanon, to assist with strategic planning and responding to enquiries. Border Force officials and military personnel are also being deployed. Royal Navy and RAF assets in the region are on standby.

I met our team in Beirut last week. Our diplomats have now had to bid farewell to their families, separating from loved ones to stay and help British Nationals. And our country-based staff are heroes, working tirelessly while pressures on their families mount.

They are ably supported by colleagues in the UK and across the region. Staff work long hours, dropping everything when a crisis breaks. Everyone recognises the importance and sensitivity of the issues we are dealing with.

We do not know precisely what will happen in the coming days. I pray for peace. But if the worst does happen, I am proud to lead such a committed team of public servants, doing their best for British nationals in incredibly difficult circumstances.

Read our latest Travel Advice for Lebanon here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon