The recommendations came amid concerns that Iran and its allies, particularly the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, are preparing strikes against Israel.
US citizens planning to leave Lebanon due to heightened tensions in the Middle East should do so on all available flights. This was reported by the Interfax agency with reference to the American embassy in Beirut.
“We encourage those planning to leave Lebanon to book available flights, even if the flight does not take off immediately or the destination does not exactly match your preferences,” the embassy said in a statement.
The embassy advised Americans who do not want to leave Lebanon to “be prepared for emergencies as well as the possibility of long-term shelter at home.”
The embassy’s recommendations came amid concerns that Iran and its allies, particularly the Lebanese group Hezbollah, were preparing strikes against Israel in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, one of the leaders of Hamas. Iranian officials blame Israel for the murder.
Germany previously asked its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.
“It cannot be denied that the situation will worsen and the conflict will expand. This is especially true for the southern areas of Beirut, which may lead to a complete stoppage of air traffic from Rafiq Hariri Airport. As a result, it will not be possible to leave Lebanon by air,” the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The foreign ministries of Belgium, France and Norway also called on their citizens to leave Lebanon.
“Due to recent events in the region… Belgians are advised to leave Israel, Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories,” the Belgian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The French Foreign Ministry also issued a statement urging the French to refrain from traveling to Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“France reminds its citizens that it is important not to travel to Lebanon, Israel or the Palestinian territories,” it said.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced an appeal to Norwegians to leave Lebanon.
