France calls on its nationals to leave Lebanon “as soon as possible”

In an updated note on the ministry’s travel advice website, the Quai d’Orsay calls on its citizens to “exercise the greatest vigilance”.

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Hezbollah supporters and sympathizers demonstrate in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 13, 2023. (ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

After Iran, Lebanon. On Sunday August 4, Paris called on French citizens in Lebanon to leave the country. “as soon as possible”. In an updated note on the ministry’s travel advice website, the Quai d’Orsay mentions the “very volatile security context” in the region and calls on its nationals to “the greatest vigilance”. He emphasizes that “direct and connecting commercial flights to France are still available”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also asks the French “not to go to Lebanon”.

With this decision, Paris is following in the footsteps of Washington and London, which, as of Saturday, had recommended that their own nationals leave the country. Concerns about a possible military escalation in the Middle East have risen following the increase in threats from Iran and its allies against Israel.

The US embassy in Beirut has urged its nationals to leave Lebanon by taking “any available plane ticket”. “My message to British nationals is clear: leave now.” Lebanon, said British Foreign Minister David Lammy. Sweden also announced the closure of its embassy in Beirut and called on its nationals to leave.


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