Australia is asking its citizens to leave Lebanon

Australia has asked its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, citing a real risk that tensions between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate seriously. This request follows similar advisories issued this week by other countries worldwide, urging their citizens to leave Lebanon or avoid traveling there.

"It is time to leave, as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly with little or no warning," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a video posted on the social media platform X on Wednesday evening.

Wong indicated that the Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon's only commercial airport, could completely shut down if the situation worsens, potentially trapping those wishing to leave for an "extended period." She urged Australians to use commercial flights while they are still operating.

According to the Australian Foreign Affairs website, approximately 15,000 Australians reside in Lebanon, with their numbers increasing by several thousand during the summer months from June to September. Around half a million Australians reported having Lebanese ancestry in the 2021 census.