Canadian government security update to nationals in Lebanon to "consider leaving the country" while commercial flights remain available, Oct. 16, 2023. (Credit: Canadian embassy)
OTTAWA — Canadian Foreign Minister
Melanie Joly on Tuesday urged citizens in Lebanon to leave while commercial flights were still
available, amid mounting instability in the region.
"If you are in Lebanon, it is now time to leave while commercial flights are available," Joly told reporters during a press conference.
Canada country is home to a large Lebanese diaspora.
Canadian citizens in Tel Aviv and the West Bank who want to leave should take advantage of military flights that Ottawa is operating to Athens, Joy added.
"We don't know how long this operation will be able to continue as the situation is very volatile," she said.
Canada said has evacuated 1,300 people from the region so far, though it is unclear how many of those nationals were in Lebanon.
A few days ago, airlines Swiss, Lufthansa and Eurowings announced the suspension of their services to Beirut.
The President of the Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies in Lebanon Jean Abboud told L'Orient Today that fears of war between Hamas and Israel spilling over into Lebanon had a real impact on traffic at Beirut International Airport.
He pointed to an almost 23 percent drop in arrivals from Oct. 10-15, compared to the same period last year.
Melanie Joly on Tuesday urged citizens in Lebanon to leave while commercial flights were still
available, amid mounting instability in the region.
"If you are in Lebanon, it is now time to leave while
commercial flights are available," Joly told reporters during a press conference.Canada country is home to a large Lebanese diaspora.
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