Gov’t working to assist Australians leave Lebanon: Foreign Minister

CANBERRA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) — The Australian government has reiterated calls for citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, warning that Beirut airport could close.
In a statement posted on social media on Monday night, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is working with airlines to assist Australians in Lebanon with securing tickets on commercial flights out of the country.
It follows months of repeated warnings from the government for Australian citizens not to travel to Lebanon and for those already in the country to leave while commercial flights are still available amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“There is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period,” Wong said on Monday night.
“We continue to urge Australians in Lebanon to take the first opportunity they can to depart. Please do not wait for a preferred route.”
Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Tuesday morning, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that the government is gravely concerned about the human cost of the escalating conflict.
The government’s Smartraveler service, run by DFAT, has had a “do not travel” advisory in place for Lebanon since October 2023.
The latest update to the travel advice for Lebanon issued on Saturday warns that terrorist attacks could occur at any time and anywhere in the country.
Australian citizens and permanent residents in Lebanon have been urged to register with DFAT’s crisis registration portal. Those who choose not to leave have been told to prepare to shelter in place for an extended period.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported in September that the government estimated at least 15,000, and up to 30,000 Australians, were still in Lebanon. ■