US and UK urge citizens to leave Lebanon ASAP amid fears of war

(Patria) - The US Embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens on Saturday to leave Lebanon "with any available ticket," amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, agencies reported.

Despite flight cancellations and suspensions, "commercial transportation options for departing Lebanon remain available," the embassy said in a statement.

"We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket that is available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first choice route."

The UK government has also urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.

"Tensions are high and the situation could escalate quickly," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement.

"As we work around the clock to bolster our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British nationals there is clear – go now."

The Foreign Office said it was "bolstering" its support for Britons in the country by sending "border force, consular staff and military personnel to the region."

Officials will offer "additional support" to embassy staff, while military personnel will provide embassies with "operational support to assist British nationals," the ministry said.

"This is in addition to the landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan, which are already in the eastern Mediterranean to support allies with humanitarian needs, and the Royal Air Force is also putting transport helicopters on standby," the statement added.

"Given the possibility that exit routes from Lebanon, including roads, could be affected, limited or closed, due to events escalating with little warning, teams will continue to urge British nationals to leave while commercial options remain available."