Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a call for British nationals in Lebanon to evacuate immediately, as the UK prepares to deploy hundreds of additional troops to Cyprus amidst heightened tensions with Israel. The Labour leader has urged up to 10,000 Britons to leave Lebanon urgently, warning of the increasing risks and the need for de-escalation and a ceasefire.
As the situation in the region continues to escalate, approximately 700 UK soldiers are expected to be sent to Cyprus overnight. Defence Secretary John Healey has returned from the Labour conference to oversee preparations to evacuate British citizens, aiming to avoid a situation similar to the chaotic evacuations in Afghanistan in 2021.
British citizens in Lebanon are strongly advised to depart while commercial flights are still operating. The UK has positioned RAF aircraft and transport helicopters on standby for potential evacuation operations if needed. Mr. Healey stressed the volatility of the situation and emphasised the importance of British nationals leaving immediately to ensure their safety.
The UK’s military presence in the area includes RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Royal Navy vessels in the eastern Mediterranean, with additional support from Border Force and Foreign Office personnel. The government is working to ensure all necessary preparations are in place to assist British nationals in case the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer is set to engage with international leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York, where discussions on various global conflicts, including those in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, are expected to take place. The UK remains committed to prioritising the safety and well-being of its citizens in the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East.