LONDON: Nov 10/Mirror/– UK travellers have been issued an important alert by the Foreign Office, advising caution for those heading to 18 countries, including popular destinations like Egypt, Tunisia, the UAE, and Morocco.
The latest update, released on Sunday, cites the ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon as a significant concern. The Foreign Office has warned that the situation could escalate rapidly, posing risks across the wider region. Travellers are urged to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on official guidance: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could quickly escalate, impacting neighbouring countries. Monitor this travel advice and stay informed through other media channels as the situation evolves. You can follow FCDO Travel on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates, or sign up for email alerts when travel advice changes. Please review the FCDO advice if you are affected by a crisis abroad.”
This warning affects UK citizens travelling to or currently in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, Algeria, the UAE, Tunisia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and several others. For a complete list of affected destinations, please refer to the full report.
Countries Affected by Latest Foreign Office Warning:
Egypt, Bahrain,Algeria, UAE,Tunisia,Syria,Jordan,Iraq,Israel,The Occupied Palestinian Territories,Qatar,Oman,Morocco,Libya,Iran,Kuwait,Saudi Arabia,Yemen,Lebanon
In a separate advisory, British nationals in Lebanon are urged to leave as soon as possible via available commercial flights. Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Government minister Pat McFadden emphasised the gravity of the situation: “This is a very serious situation right now.”
The UK government has been advising citizens in Lebanon to depart at the earliest opportunity. “There are commercial flights available, and the Foreign Office is working with airlines to ensure more flights are scheduled,” McFadden added, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also reiterated the urgency, stating: “We are planning for every contingency, but it is critically important, given the seriousness of the situation, that British citizens in the area take immediate steps to leave now.”
The Foreign Secretary also urged British nationals still in the region to register with the Foreign Office and reiterated calls for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, acknowledging the challenge of achieving peace in light of recent events. “No matter how difficult that may seem, given what has transpired in recent days,” he added.
The alert follows Hezbollah’s confirmation of the deaths of several commanders, including leader Hassan Nasrallah, as a result of an Israeli airstrike.
Since Israel escalated its airstrikes on September 23, more than 700 lives have been lost in Lebanon, with widespread displacement affecting many from southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advisory to include a full list of areas now impacted by the latest warning.
