Government urges Aussies in Lebanon to leave

The government is intensifying its warning to Australians to leave Lebanon now or risk being trapped if Middle East tensions boil over.

The government has issued urgent pleas to Australians in Lebanon, warning that if they do not leave immediately they may be trapped there if war breaks out between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Anthony Albanese said flights to and from Lebanon’s capital Beirut could stop at any time and there was “no guarantee” people would be able to leave through “other means”.

“There is a risk that the Beirut airport might not be open for commercial flights and given the numbers of people that are there, there is no guarantee that people will be able to come home through other means if that airport is shut,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is urging citizens in Lebanon to leave now. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“We say to people, listen to the warnings which are there.

“Over recent months we have seen people continue to go and travel to the region and we have made very clear our warnings about that.”

The dire warning comes after Israel took responsibility for a strike that killed senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Israel’s government said the action was in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack in Israel-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people, most of whom were children.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong also released a video statement late Wednesday urging Australians to get out of Lebanon.

Senator Wong’s message to Australians in Lebanon was simple: “Now is the time to leave.”

The government has warned Australians could be trapped in Lebanon if they do not leave immediately. (Photo by Anwar Amro / AFP)

“There is a real risk that the conflict in the region escalates seriously,” she said.

“The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.”

My message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is now is the time to leave. pic.twitter.com/74DNfh1UNz

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 31, 2024

Senator Wong said the government was “working with partners in the region to push for restraint and de-escalation”, but made clear that “now is not the time for Australians in the region to wait and see what happens.”

“Now is the time to leave,” she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Australians in Lebanon to get out of the country immediately, warning Beirut’s airport could close with no notice. (Photo by Anwar Amro/ AFP)

The UN Security Council met to discuss soaring tensions in the Middle East after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed at his residence in the Iranian capital Tehran early Wednesday morning.

Although Israel has not taken responsibility, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly issued an order for a direct attack on Israel.

Originally published as Government urges Aussies in Lebanon to leave