British troops on standby for major evacuation of expats from Lebanon
British troops are on standby in the Middle East for a possible major evacuation of expats from Lebanon amid the soaring tensions in the region, British media reports said.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy insisted Tuesday that the British government was “ready and prepared” to respond to an all-out war between Israel, Iran and Hezbollah.
British diplomats have urged all sides to find a political solution.
The Foreign Office reiterated calls for Britons to get out of Lebanon while commercial flights were still available. The same warning could be issued to those in Israel.
Border force officials, consular experts and troops have all been sent to the region amid planning for “a range of possible conflict scenarios,” including large-scale evacuation, the reports said.
The RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan warships, currently in the eastern Med, and helicopters are being readied.
A new “register your presence” portal for Brits in Lebanon has received 3,000 sign-ups. The Foreign Office believes many thousands more are in the country.
Lammy has told a Cabinet meeting the focus would be on encouraging de-escalation of tensions.
PM Keir Starmer meanwhole spoke to the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and urged restraint.
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