Switzerland, Australia urge nationals to leave Lebanon

Switzerland has urged its nationals to leave Lebanon, noting the highly volatile situation in the country.

Hezbollah confirmed Wednesday that Israel killed a top commander after a rare strike in Beirut.

The strike, which was followed by another, hours later, which killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, triggered fears the war in Gaza could escalate into a region-wide conflict.

"The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs recommends that Swiss nationals leave the country by their own means, if this seems possible and safe," the Swiss foreign ministry said in its updated Lebanon travel advice.

"The decision to leave the country is taken voluntarily, at the risk and expense of the person leaving the country."

It said the Swiss embassy in Beirut remained open and would continue to provide its regular services.

"Swiss nationals who decide to remain in the country or travel to Lebanon despite the FDFA's recommendations should, however, be aware that if the security situation worsens, Switzerland would be able to provide only limited services, if any, and would have only limited possibilities to provide assistance in an emergency," the foreign ministry said.

It said a significant deterioration of the security situation throughout Lebanon was possible at any time, while "targeted airstrikes can also endanger uninvolved persons".

Just under a thousand Swiss nationals were living in Lebanon at the end of 2022, the ministry says.

Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israel since its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking war in Gaza.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also urged thousands of Australian citizens in Lebanon to leave and warned Thursday that the Beirut airport could soon close.

“I take the opportunity to say to Australians: Do not travel to Lebanon at the moment,” Albanese told reporters in Sydney.

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

Albanese said he was “very concerned” that conflict in the Middle East would escalate following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

“We want to see a de-escalation, we want to see a cease-fire, we want to see the hostages released and we want to see a plan for peace and security in the Middle East where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security with prosperity,” Albanese said.