The German Foreign Ministry said it is raising the crisis level at its diplomatic missions in Beirut, as well as in Ramallah and Tel Aviv, AFP writes. This means that family members of diplomats will be evacuated to Germany or to a safe place in the region. “Personnel on the ground will be reduced in order to ensure that the missions are still able to fulfill their tasks,” the ministry said.
The American State Department ordered the departure of family members of American diplomats from Lebanon and allowed the departure of employees of the American embassy in Beirut who are not absolutely necessary for the operation of the office, wrote the AP agency. At the same time, Washington called on American citizens to leave Lebanon as long as commercial flights can be used. American diplomacy justified its actions by “air strikes in Beirut and the unstable and unpredictable situation across Lebanon”.
An Israeli strike targeting the top leadership of Hezbollah
London urged British citizens to leave Lebanon on the “first available flight”. However, this will become more and more difficult, as many airlines stop flying to Beirut. In view of the worsened security situation and more intense aerial attacks, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised airlines on Saturday not to fly to Lebanon or Israel.
There are five employees at the Czech embassy in Lebanon. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established procedures and mechanisms for such situations, which it activates in case of critical developments,” said Mariana Wernerová from the office’s communication department. So far, the Czech Republic has not acceded to this.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced on Saturday afternoon that it currently registers 98 Czechs in Lebanon in the Drozd travel system. Last October, the Ministry already called on Czech citizens to leave the country in view of the security situation, following the escalation of tensions following terrorist attacks by Hamas on the territory of Israel and the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. In its still valid recommendation, the Černín Palace warns against all trips to Lebanon.
