Britain Mulling Evacuating Nationals from Lebanon over Regional Developments
The British Foreign Ministry is studying the possibility of calling on its nationals and those from the Commonwealth states to evacuate Lebanon in light of western reports from Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan that said that Lebanon and Syria are on the verge of an escalation, reported the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah on Sunday.
A British diplomat told the daily that other countries may follow Britain’s example, predicting that the evacuations may take place within a week or two.
These reports emerged in light of the deteriorating situation in Syria.
The diplomat warned that the deterioration of events in Lebanon and Syria may take on a bloodier course than the Lebanese civil war.
“Due to Lebanon’s affiliation to the Syrian regime, the country may become devoid of Arab and foreign nationals in two weeks,” he added.
He said that the Syrian regime has not committed to any of its obligations towards the Arab states, noting that they have no choice but to head to the United Nations Security Council to end the crisis in Syria.
Syria has come under pressure from the Arab League and international community over its failure to halt a violent crackdown against anti-regime protesters.
The League is expected to meet on Sunday in order to study imposing sanctions on the Arab state.
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