British foreign minister David Lammy has reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire amid reports of a potential escalation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
This discussion followed a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.
“We’ve both seen the reports in the media about a next phase for Israel in Lebanon,” Lammy told Sky News, highlighting the increasing signs that Israel is poised to send ground troops into Lebanon.
Earlier that day, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged “all parties to show restraint.”
Lammy also reaffirmed the government’s advice for British citizens to leave Lebanon.
“We have secured places on commercial flights that are flying tomorrow so that UK nationals can get out. I urge them to leave, because the situation on the ground is fast moving,” he stated.
He added, “Whilst we will do everything we can to protect British nationals and those plans are in place to do so, we cannot anticipate the circumstances and the speed with which we could do that if things escalate in a major way over the coming hours and days.”
In a separate statement, the government announced that it has also chartered a flight to accommodate any additional demand from British nationals and their dependents wishing to leave the Middle Eastern country.
This chartered flight is scheduled to depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday.
As tensions rise in the region, the British government is taking steps to ensure the safety of its citizens and is urging prompt action to leave Lebanon as the situation develops.