Menu
17/07/2006
First British citizens flown out of Beirut
Nearly 40 British citizens have been airlifted by helicopter from Beirut, as the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon begins.
The operation is part of plans to evacuate around 10,000 Britons from the country as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon continues to deepen.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday said that the government was working towards "a properly organised - and safe - arrangement to help British nationals who want to leave Lebanon."
The statement said that some naval warships are now in the region to assist with evacuations, while others - including HMS Illustrious and HMS Bulwark - are heading towards it.
A Rapid Deployment Team from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has also arrived in Beirut in order to assist British nationals.
More than 160 Lebanese and 24 Israelis have been killed since fighting erupted in the area on Wednesday, following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fighters and the deaths of eight others. Israeli launched an air offensive on Lebanon, while Hezbollah responded by bombarding northern Israel with missiles.
Beirut airport remains closed following Israeli airstrikes, while there is also a naval blockade of all ports. The main Beirut-Damascus highway is also closed, while other roads outside of Lebanon are also closed or are unsafe for travel.
The Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Lebanon to stay put, exercise caution, keep in touch with the British Embassy, heed local advice and listen to the BBC or other English language broadcasts.
British nationals have also been advised to ensure that they are ready for departure at short notice and to have their travel documents in order.
(KMcA)
The operation is part of plans to evacuate around 10,000 Britons from the country as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon continues to deepen.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday said that the government was working towards "a properly organised - and safe - arrangement to help British nationals who want to leave Lebanon."
The statement said that some naval warships are now in the region to assist with evacuations, while others - including HMS Illustrious and HMS Bulwark - are heading towards it.
A Rapid Deployment Team from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has also arrived in Beirut in order to assist British nationals.
More than 160 Lebanese and 24 Israelis have been killed since fighting erupted in the area on Wednesday, following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fighters and the deaths of eight others. Israeli launched an air offensive on Lebanon, while Hezbollah responded by bombarding northern Israel with missiles.
Beirut airport remains closed following Israeli airstrikes, while there is also a naval blockade of all ports. The main Beirut-Damascus highway is also closed, while other roads outside of Lebanon are also closed or are unsafe for travel.
The Foreign Office has advised British nationals in Lebanon to stay put, exercise caution, keep in touch with the British Embassy, heed local advice and listen to the BBC or other English language broadcasts.
British nationals have also been advised to ensure that they are ready for departure at short notice and to have their travel documents in order.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 August 2003
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region". BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region". BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
18 July 2006
UK begins evacuation of British citizens in Lebanon
The first Royal Navy warship has arrived in Beirut to begin evacuating British citizens from Lebanon. The HMS Gloucester is expected to to take around 100 of the most high priority cases, including pregnant women and children, to Cyprus.
UK begins evacuation of British citizens in Lebanon
The first Royal Navy warship has arrived in Beirut to begin evacuating British citizens from Lebanon. The HMS Gloucester is expected to to take around 100 of the most high priority cases, including pregnant women and children, to Cyprus.
14 March 2011
UK Advise 'Avoid Japan Visits' After Quake
Following the earthquake in Japan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and the North East of Japan. The quake, which took place on Friday on 11 March, measured a massive 8.9 on the Richter scale and triggered a tsunami. So far there have not been any confirmed UK deaths.
UK Advise 'Avoid Japan Visits' After Quake
Following the earthquake in Japan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and the North East of Japan. The quake, which took place on Friday on 11 March, measured a massive 8.9 on the Richter scale and triggered a tsunami. So far there have not been any confirmed UK deaths.
01 April 2005
Foreign Office advise Britons to leave Ivory Coast
Britons have been warned to leave Africa's Ivory Coast, due to the "deteriorating security situation". The Foreign Office issued the warning as it announced that the British embassy in the West African country would close today.
Foreign Office advise Britons to leave Ivory Coast
Britons have been warned to leave Africa's Ivory Coast, due to the "deteriorating security situation". The Foreign Office issued the warning as it announced that the British embassy in the West African country would close today.
11 November 2004
UK troops sent in to 'volatile' Ivory Coast
With the situation in the Ivory Coast deteriorating rapidly, British troops have been sent into the West African country to begin the evacuation of UK citizens trapped there. The detachment, led by the Royal Gurkha Rifles, has been ordered in to carry out a full-scale evacuation of the 400 British citizens in the region.
UK troops sent in to 'volatile' Ivory Coast
With the situation in the Ivory Coast deteriorating rapidly, British troops have been sent into the West African country to begin the evacuation of UK citizens trapped there. The detachment, led by the Royal Gurkha Rifles, has been ordered in to carry out a full-scale evacuation of the 400 British citizens in the region.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
