Western countries are stepping up emergency plans to evacuate civilians from Lebanon after a sharp escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah, linked to Iran's rocket attack on Israel on Tuesday.
No country has yet launched a large-scale military evacuation, although some countries are chartering planes as Beirut airport remains open. Plans to evacuate to Cyprus by sea will allow the movement of larger groups.
Here you will find more information about emergency planning:
AUSTRALIA
Contingency plans could include evacuation by sea, although authorities have urged an estimated 15,000 civilians in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains open.
BELGIUM
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised citizens to leave as soon as possible, according to the Belga news agency.
CANADA
News reports from Canada suggest the country will cooperate with Australia in evacuating nationals by sea. The plan includes contracting a commercial ship to transport 1,000 people a day, according to the Toronto Star newspaper.
CYPRUS
The European Union member state closest to the Middle East is likely to be a hub for evacuations as it has hosted around 60,000 people who fled the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Neighboring country Turkey has also offered facilities.
Cyprus has asked Greece to provide an aircraft that can be used to evacuate its nationals who want to leave. There are an estimated 1,500 Cypriots in Lebanon.
FRANCE
France has not issued an evacuation order, despite having plans for several months. Current emergency plans focus on Cyprus and Beirut airports, while evacuations via Turkey are also being discussed. France has a warship in the region, while a French helicopter carrier will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days and take up position in case a decision is made to evacuate foreigners from Lebanon.
GERMANY
Germany has evacuated non-essential personnel, families of embassy staff and German nationals who are medically vulnerable from Lebanon and will support others trying to leave, the foreign and defense ministries said in a joint statement on Monday.
GREECE
Greece's Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon and avoid travel there, with a frigate on standby in case help is needed.
ITALY
Italy has reduced diplomatic staff and strengthened security staff at its embassy in Beirut. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has repeatedly urged his nationals to leave the country and asked Israel for guarantees about the safety of Italian peacekeepers in the area.
THE NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands will repatriate its citizens from Lebanon, the Dutch news agency ANP reported on Tuesday.
POLAND
Poland will reduce staff at its embassy in Beirut, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, adding that Warsaw would organize transport for citizens wanting to leave Lebanon.
PORTUGAL
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has advised against traveling to Lebanon, which has helped evacuate a small number of Portuguese citizens living there.
TURKEY
Turkey is ready for a possible evacuation of Turks from Lebanon by air and sea and is working with about twenty countries to prepare its ports and airports for a possible evacuation of foreigners via Turkey. About 14,000 Turkish citizens were registered with the consulate in Lebanon, but the number was not final.
UNITED KINGDOM
Britain has urged its nationals to leave immediately. It has moved about 700 troops to Cyprus and strengthened its military assets, including two Royal Navy ships. It also has two military bases on the island. Britain has chartered a flight to meet any additional demand from Britons wanting to leave on Wednesday and will fly them directly back to London.
UNITED STATES
The United States has sent dozens of troops to Cyprus to prepare for scenarios such as an evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. It is working with airlines to add flights from Lebanon, with more seats for Americans, the State Department said Tuesday.
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