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More charter flights are expected throughout the day to evacuate British nationals from Lebanon, according to the UK Foreign Office, which described the number of flights as "limited."
The first flight from Beirut, a civilian plane chartered by the British government, landed in Birmingham at 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday with about 180 passengers. The Romanian-operated aircraft made a stop in Bucharest.
Priority on the flight was given to vulnerable individuals and their families. Demand for tickets has been high, prompting the Foreign Office to arrange additional flights in the coming days.
Family members of British nationals who do not hold UK citizenship must have a visa valid for at least six months to be allowed entry into the UK. The Foreign Office urged individuals not to head to Beirut Airport unless they have confirmed seats on these flights.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said British nationals wishing to leave Lebanon must register with the Foreign Office and "depart the country immediately."
He added that flights would continue as long as needed and as long as security conditions at Beirut's Rafik Hariri Airport permit. "The recent developments have shown the fluid nature of the situation in Lebanon. The safety of British nationals in Lebanon remains our top priority," Lammy said.
It is believed that between 4,000 and 6,000 British nationals and their dependents are still in the war-torn country.
Meanwhile, The Times reported that many foreign nationals, including several Britons, have been chartering yachts and other private boats to leave Lebanon by sea. Around seven boats depart daily from the port of Dbayeh, not far from Beirut, with an average of 12 passengers each. "Their destination is Ayia Napa in Cyprus," said a yacht rental company owner.
In Cyprus, at the Akrotiri base, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said British armed forces are "on standby to respond to any further developments in the Middle East" to ensure the safety of British nationals in Lebanon. "I've been briefed on the plans. They are ready to act if needed," Healey said during a visit to the base on Wednesday.
Brigadier Paul Maynard, stationed at Akrotiri, visited Beirut on Tuesday and confirmed that the airport was fully operational.
"Our plan for now is to keep this civilian route open. In an extreme scenario, if the security situation deteriorates and Beirut Airport closes, we must have options to continue fulfilling the government's important duty of protecting British citizens," he said.
If the airport closes, the British government will consider evacuations "by sea and air, including helicopters," Maynard added.
[Information sourced from CNA]
