Australia and Germany warn their citizens about deteriorating situation in Lebanon and Israel

The Australian government on Wednesday ordered "the departure of all dependents of Australian officials stationed in Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East," according to the official website Smartraveler.gov.au.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs is advising its citizens "to reconsider the need to travel to Lebanon." For those already there, it recommends "considering departure while commercial options to leave the country are still available," due to "the unpredictable situation in the Middle East."

"Conflicts in the Middle East could lead to increased tensions elsewhere in the region, including in Lebanon, and could result in the closure of airspace, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions. Beirut airport could close without warning," the statement continues.

The Australian government notice also warns against "demonstrations and protest actions that may also take place," urging people to avoid all such activities. It also asks its citizens "not to travel to several regions of Lebanon due to security risks," mentioning "airstrikes that could take place without warning."

Finally, the Australian government acknowledges that it "may not be able to help [its citizens] leave the country." It has issued a similar warning to Australians in Israel, according to the Arabic media outlet al-Araby, as reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

On Tuesday, the German federal Foreign Ministry issued a notice to its citizens in Israel and Lebanon, warning them about a "deterioration of the security situation due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and possible military action."

This warning, reported by the German newspaper Bild, "urges Germans to stock up on supplies, familiarize themselves with the nearest shelters and prepare for limited support from the embassy in the event of airspace closure."

On Feb. 23, the United States Embassy in Lebanon confirmed it had ordered the departure of non-essential staff and their family members due to the "security situation in Beirut."

L’Australie et l’Allemagne mettent en garde leurs ressortissants contre la détérioration de la situation au Liban et en Israël