Around 700 UK troops are deploying to Cyprus to be ready to help evacuate British nationals from Lebanon, as fears grow of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.
John Healey, the defence secretary – who chaired a meeting of the UK’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday – urged all Britons to leave the crisis-torn country “now”.
Two British warships are already in the region and would be used if any evacuation operation is ordered.
Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby.
A major UK military base in Cyprus – RAF Akrotiri – would be an important staging post.
The government said on Tuesday night the deployment of military personnel will happen in the coming hours.
They will be supported by Border Force and foreign office officials.
Lebanon ‘still hoping’ US will help end conflict in the region
Lebanon is holding out hope the US will help end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Lebanese foreign minister said this evening that Joe Biden’s speech to the United Nations “was not strong” on the crisis, but he wasn’t giving up yet.
“I [am] still hoping. The United States is the only country that can really make a difference in the Middle East and with regard to Lebanon,” said Abdallah Bou Habib.
Mr Habib said Lebanon’s prime minister hoped to meet with US officials in the next two days, according to Reuters.
Nearly one and half million people have now been displaced by the conflict, according to Mr Habib.
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