Malaysia to evacuate remaining citizens, foreign spouses in Lebanon

 

The foreign ministry has advised Malaysians to defer travelling to Lebanon due to the volatile situation in the country. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Malaysian government is preparing to evacuate 15 Malaysians and three foreign spouses remaining in Lebanon amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon, says Wisma Putra.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said nine Malaysians have voluntarily left Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation.

It also said that the Malaysian embassy in Beirut would continue its operations until further notice.

Last week, Wisma Putra urged Malaysians in Lebanon to make immediate preparations to leave and advised against any new travel to the country due to the increasingly volatile situation.

It also condemned Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon, involving airstrikes and ground offensives.

Yesterday, AFP reported that the Israeli military had started ground raids in villages in southern Lebanon, after Hezbollah said it had targeted enemy soldiers at the countries’ border.

This comes after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

Despite international calls for de-escalation, Israel earlier vowed to keep fighting Hezbollah and sealed part of the border after killing the Iran-backed group’s leader.

Last month, Israel launched a wave of deadly airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah across Lebanon, the latest of which killed 95 people on Monday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

On Monday evening, the Israeli military called on people in three districts of southern Beirut to evacuate. - FMT