Australia has made arrangements for 580 airline seats for its citizens to leave Lebanon, amidst fears of escalating violence. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the urgency for the remaining thousands of Australians in Lebanon to evacuate while they still can. Approximately 1,700 Australians have registered their intention to depart the country.
With a significant Lebanese diaspora in Australia and around 15,000 Australians residing in Lebanon, Wong urged individuals to take advantage of the organized flights departing on Thursday and Saturday. She expressed concerns about the Beirut airport potentially closing, which would limit departure options.
Australia has been encouraging its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the challenges of a government-sponsored evacuation given the large number of Australians in the country. The focus remains on commercial flights, with military aircraft on standby in Cyprus as a contingency plan.
Wong reiterated Australia’s support for the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan in Lebanon to halt the violence, despite Israel’s rejection of the proposal. The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, and timely evacuation is crucial for the safety of Australians in the region.