12 countries issue warnings to citizens amid Lebanon-'Israel' tensions
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7 countries are calling on their citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon and evacuate, while 5 other countries are asking them to avoid certain areas and proceed with caution.
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Senior Advisor to U..President Biden, Amos Hochstein, center, gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP)
Amid worries of a full-scale war between "Israel" and Lebanon, seven countries have urged their citizens to evacuate from Lebanon, while five others warned their citizens not to travel to Lebanon at this time.
Saudi citizens currently in Lebanon were asked by the Saudi Embassy in Beirut on Saturday "to depart the Lebanese territory immediately" and were reminded to "stay in touch with the embassy in case of any emergencies."
Australia "strongly advised" citizens against traveling to the region, and encouraged citizens already in Lebanon to leave immediately while commercial aircraft are still operating.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry advised its people not to travel to Lebanon and to evacuate through available commercial airlines.
Germany's Foreign Ministry stressed that "the situation at the border between Israel and Lebanon is very tense" as it called on its residents living in Lebanon to return home.
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The Canadian government also asked its citizens living in Lebanon to return home, as a statement by Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, "The safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad is Canada’s top priority".
North Macedonia likewise requested that its nationals evacuate as soon as possible, while Kuwait asked its citizens to leave immediately “in view of the security situation taking place in the region."
'Proceed with caution'
The US Embassy in Beirut asked American nationals residing in Lebanon to not visit regions near the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office advised its citizens against all travel to Lebanon, saying, “FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories".
On the other hand, Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov called on Russians to wait the situation out and stressed that "there are no reasons for serious panic," while noting that the diplomatic mission is operating normally and ensuring that it is implementing the necessary security measures for its staff.
Additionally, the Irish Foreign Ministry asked its nationals in Lebanon to proceed with caution and avoid certain areas in the region.
Jordan urged its nationals on Friday to avoid traveling to Lebanon.
This is yet another wave of warnings by embassies located in Lebanon amid an escalation of tensions between "Israel" and the Lebanese Resistance along the border with Palestine.
Tensions have heightened between Lebanon and "Israel" in recent weeks, with the Israelis escalating their attacks further into Lebanese territory and threatening to send the country "back to the Stone Age." As a result, media around the globe is speculating over the possibility of a full-scale war.
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The Biden Administration has strongly urged "Israel" not to go to war with Lebanon, since it would be catastrophic for both sides and could potentially ignite a regional war, especially if US intervention is involved. Additionally, the United States' support for "Israel" will immensely affect Biden's presidential campaign, diminishing the votes of Arab Americans and progressives.
