Which embassies have called on their nationals to avoid or leave Lebanon?

An increasing number of countries have recently called on their nationals to avoid traveling to Lebanon, or if they are already there, to leave the country, amid fears of a regional escalation fomented by Iran and its allies following the assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fouad Shukor and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Here are the latest recommendations issued by foreign ministries amid fears of a regional conflagration in the Middle East.

China

After initially advising its citizens to remain "cautious" and "alert," China has now strongly recommended that they avoid traveling to Lebanon due to the "serious and complex" security situation. The Chinese embassy in Beirut has urged those already in Lebanon to be "extremely vigilant," citing concerns about potential escalation in the Middle East.

"Given the current special circumstances," Chinese nationals traveling to Lebanon "might face higher security risks, and assistance from the embassy could be affected," the embassy stated. The Chinese government has urged its citizens to be "very vigilant, enhance their security measures, and be prepared for emergencies." This advice is more moderate compared to other countries, many of which have recently urged their citizens to leave Lebanon due to fears of further military escalation in the region.

Ireland

Ireland has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon due to the worsening security situation. "Our travel advice for Israel has changed due to increasing instability in the region. The government now recommends that Irish citizens avoid traveling to Israel. The same advice applies to Lebanon and Palestine," wrote Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on X.

Japan

On Monday, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its citizens to "leave Lebanon immediately" due to the deteriorating security situation in the country, according to Reuters.

The Japanese authorities strongly recommend that their nationals move to safe locations and follow security instructions to avoid potential dangers. This measure reflects growing concerns about regional stability and increased risks for expatriates amid current tensions and conflicts.

Brazil

The Brazilian Embassy in Beirut recommended on Sunday that Brazilian citizens living or transiting through Lebanon leave the country due to increasing tensions in the Middle East. The statement advises Brazilians to make arrangements to leave Lebanon "by their own means until the situation normalizes" in the region. Additionally, Brazilians are strongly discouraged from traveling to Lebanon at this time to ensure their safety.

Ukraine

In a statement released on Monday via X and Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the evacuation of Ukrainian nationals from "dangerous areas of Lebanon." He specified that his administration has already organized the repatriation of 30 Ukrainians, mainly women and children, who are now safe.

Evacuated men will be directed to military registration and enlistment offices upon arrival.

Saudi Arabia

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to leave Lebanon "immediately." The Saudi embassy in Beirut stated in a communiqué on X that it is "closely monitoring developments in southern Lebanon," where Israel is conducting strikes in response to rocket fire from Hezbollah. The embassy urged Saudi nationals to "leave Lebanon immediately in accordance with the travel ban to this country."

France

On Sunday morning, France urged its nationals to "leave Lebanon as soon as possible." Citing a "highly volatile security context," the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised French citizens in Lebanon, "especially those just passing through," to "make arrangements to leave Lebanon as soon as possible," while commercial flights with layovers to France are still available. The statement was published on the French diplomatic website, following an announcement by the Air France - KLM group on Saturday that it would extend the suspension of its flights to Lebanon "at least until Aug. 6" due to the security situation.

Paris also reiterated that "in light of the risks of military escalation in the Middle East, French nationals are strongly advised not to travel to Lebanon" and urged those already there to exercise "extreme vigilance."

The United States

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a new warning to its citizens in Lebanon on Saturday, urging them to take any available flight out of Beirut.

Despite the suspension and cancelation of flights to Beirut, "commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available," the embassy said in a statement. "We encourage those wishing to leave Lebanon to book any available ticket, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow the itinerary of their choice," it added. For those who cannot afford to pay, the embassy is offering financial assistance in the form of "repatriation loans."

"Evacuations of civilians from a foreign country with the assistance of the U.S. military are rare," the embassy said in its notice, which was also emailed to U.S. citizens. "US citizens should not rely on the government for departure assistance or evacuation in the event of a crisis," the embassy added.

The main measures recommended by the U.S. Embassy are to ensure that travel documents are up to date, to plan independent departures, to take personal security measures and to keep abreast of developments in the situation.

The U.S. has recently revised its travel advice for Lebanon from level three (‘Reconsider Travel’) to level four (‘Do Not Travel’).

The United Kingdom

The British government called on its citizens on Saturday to leave Lebanon "now," "while commercial links remain available," in the face of growing fears of a new military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. "Tensions are high and the situation could deteriorate rapidly … My message to British nationals is clear: leave now," said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

London also said that "military personnel" would soon be deployed "to the region" to provide British embassies with "operational support to help British nationals." Royal Air Force helicopters are also "on standby" in case of need.

Last Tuesday, the United Kingdom had already issued repeated advice to its citizens to leave the country, citing a rapidly evolving situation.

Cyprus

In a message published on its website on Tuesday, the Cypriot Embassy in Lebanon said that the island's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was "closely monitoring the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the security incidents in southern Lebanon, which could escalate throughout the country without prior warning." It recommended that its citizens "avoid all travel to Lebanon."

Cypriots living in the country were also "asked to avoid all gatherings and demonstrations, to remain vigilant and to follow the instructions of the local authorities." They were also "advised to closely follow developments in the situation and the information disseminated by the international and local media, to avoid unnecessary travel and to apply maximum security measures."

Italy

The Italian Embassy in Lebanon reiterated on July 29 the recommendations to its nationals "to postpone their trips to Lebanon with the exception of strictly necessary trips that they should evaluate with the greatest caution." Any travel to South Lebanon remains discouraged, the embassy added on its X account. For Italians temporarily present in Lebanon, it was recommended "to assess whether their stay is necessary, as well as the possibility of leaving on commercial flights."

The embassy also invited its nationals to register on the website "Where are we in the world" or on the application "ViaggiareSicuri," which is equipped with active geolocation.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had previously indicated that Rome was committed to peace and stability, including through the presence of the Italian contingent in UNIFIL. He added that the evacuation of the approximately 3,000 Italian civilians living in Lebanon would only be necessary if the crisis worsened, but he encouraged his compatriots to leave.

Germany

German nationals in Lebanon, estimated to number around 1,300, are being "urgently urged" to leave the country while it is still possible, a Berlin government spokesman said on Monday.

"We are very concerned about the situation of the Germans present on Lebanese territory and we are preparing what needs to be done," the spokesman added. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has spoken with several officials, including her Lebanese counterpart, in order to "mitigate the situation and prevent it from getting worse," the spokesman also said.

Switzerland

On Wednesday, the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon and Syria published new recommendations for its nationals in Lebanon. It said it was closely monitoring developments in the region, adding that "their development is currently uncertain."

"A significant deterioration in the security situation throughout the country is possible at any time," the embassy warned, generally advising against travel to Lebanon and recommending that its nationals "leave the country by their own means, if this seems possible and safe."

"Use available commercial means of transport," the embassy advised, inviting people to contact airline companies for information. "The decision to leave the country is taken voluntarily, at the risk and expense of the person leaving the country," it added.

Sweden

Sweden announced on Saturday that it was closing its embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, after advising thousands of its citizens to leave the country.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked staff to leave Beirut and go to Cyprus, and … is planning a temporary transfer of its embassy," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Swedish radio. The decision was taken "initially for the month of August, but it could be extended depending on the security situation," he said, adding that the ministry was "closely monitoring developments."

According to him, up to 10,000 Swedish nationals may have traveled to Lebanon this summer, defying the warning in force since October 2023. "I invite Swedes who are in Lebanon to leave the country by all possible means, while they can," the minister added.

Australia

Australia on Thursday asked its nationals in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, saying there was a real risk that tensions between Israel and Hezbollah would seriously escalate.

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

Wong had said Beirut international airport could close completely if the situation worsened, potentially stranding people wanting to travel for "an extended period," and urged Australians to use commercial flights while they are operational.

Mexico

In a short message published on the main page of its website since Monday, the Mexican Embassy in Lebanon recommends that its nationals who have no compelling reason to remain in Lebanon consider leaving while commercial flights remain available, raising the possibility that this may no longer be possible in the event of an escalation of tensions.

China

The Chinese embassy in Lebanon urged Chinese citizens traveling in the country to be cautious, citing "grim and complex" security situation, reported Reuters.

It also called on its nationals and institutions in Lebanon to remain on high alert and strengthen safety precautions.

This article was originally published in French on L'Orient-Le Jour.

Quelles ambassades ont appelé leurs ressortissants à éviter ou quitter le Liban ?