Lebanon travel warning: Smart Traveller urges Australians to ‘leave immediately’ while they can
Smart Traveller has issued fresh warnings to Australians due to unrest and volatility in the Middle East.
On Monday, the site that issues travel warnings to help Australians travel overseas safely, reduce their risks and avoid problems, updated warnings for Lebanon.
“We continue to advise that Australians do not travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further,” the update said.
“Australians in Lebanon should leave immediately while commercial flights remain available.”
The warning was issued due to fears that the security situation could deteriorate rapidly throughout Lebanon with little or no notice.
“Some airlines have postponed or cancelled some flights. Further flight cancellations and disruptions could occur with little or no notice,” the statement said.
“Beirut airport could close, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period.
“Airlines may cancel more flights or set high ticket prices for any remaining flights. There may also be other travel disruptions. The Australian Government may not be able to assist you to leave in such circumstances.”
Camera IconA drone strike by Israel is said to have killed two people and wounded three others in Lebanon. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP
The warning comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned violence in the Middle East could become “far more savage”.
The conflict in Gaza is threatening to spill into neighbouring nations after Tel Aviv claimed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah launched a rocket strike that killed 12 teenagers and children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for Saturday’s attack but that has not prevented an Israeli response.
Israel Defence Forces on Monday launched a drone strike on Lebanon, killing two people and wounding three more.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said tensions in the region were at “great risk” of escalation.
“We saw that with tragic consequences for those Israeli citizens who lost their life over the weekend, we continue to see a loss of life in Gaza,” he told Sky News on Monday.
“(Hezbollah) represent a risk of a far more savage conflict occurring with consequences for Israel, for Lebanon, for the Middle East and for world peace.
“We want to see hostilities cease, we want to see the hostages released, we want to see a pathway toward peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians in the region.”
In a move that could strengthen bonds between Tel Aviv and Canberra, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will land in Israel for a three-day trip on Monday.
He is expected to meet members of its government and those affected by the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed 1200 people and led more than 200 to be taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
“The connections between Australia and Israel are deep and abiding,” Mr Dutton said in a statement.
“It’s a relationship which will only grow stronger, built around our devotion to democracy in a world where our values and way of life faces old and new threats.”
– With AAP
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