Several countries call on citizens to leave Lebanon immediately amid fears of regional military escalation

CAIRO- 5 August 2024: The regional military escalation in the region is imminent as several countries called upon their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

Kuwait Airways announced today, Sunday, the arrival of its final flights from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, after replacing the aircraft with larger ones on two flights, KUNA reported, adding that the Kuwaiti airlines announced on Saturday that the last flights for the Kuwaitis who want to leave Lebanon were on Sunday.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it closely monitors developments in southern Lebanon. The embassy reiterates its call for Saudi citizens to leave Lebanese territory immediately, under the travel ban to Lebanon.

Additionally, the Brazilian Embassy in Beirut calls on its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli wrote on his X: “Our citizens are advised to avoid traveling to Lebanon unless it is essential.”

“Our citizens in Lebanon are advised to be vigilant, not to travel to Nebatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel governorates unless it is essential,” he added.

Other countries like Italy and Poland called upon their citizens to Leave Lebanon and Israel immediately. Also, countries like the US, France, Canada and Russia have asked their nationals to Leave Lebanon.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs Badr Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s steadfast support for Lebanon in the face of escalating threats in the region.

Abdelatty engaged in a phone call with Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib on Saturday, as per a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Egypt exerts tremendous diplomatic efforts with other neighboring countries to prevent a potential regional war after Israeli carries out a series of attacks against Iranian-backed the axis of resistance (Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemeni Houthis, and Iraqi Popular Mobilization forces).

Israel assassinated head of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, with his body guard, in his residency in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, after attending the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. A day earlier, Israel assassinated Senior Commander Sayyed Fouad Ali Shokr (Sayyed Mohsen), the second man in the Lebanese Hezbollah by targeting him on Tuesday, August 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the Global Coalition Against Daesh- led by Israeli ally, the US, launched airstrike against personnel from the Iraq Popular Mobilization Forces, which affiliates to the Iraqi army.

Iran, Hezbollah and Iraqi Army vowed to revenge for those who killed by Israel. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel whosoever stands with it should know that our response is inevitable and non-negotiable.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, characterizing it as a "duty." Reports indicate that Khamenei has ordered a direct strike against Israel.