BRITISH troops are on standby in the Middle East for a major evacuation of expatriates from Lebanon.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy insisted yesterday that the government was “ready and prepared” to respond to an all-out war between Israel, Iran and its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah.
It came as six Hezbollah fighters were killed in Israeli strikes yesterday as the terror group carried out rocket and drone attacks in northern Israel.
In a show of force, low-flying Israeli warplanes repeatedly broke the sound barrier over Beirut.
The Israeli military said its air force struck a Hezbollah structure in the Nabatiyeh area that was being used to advance attacks.
British diplomats urged all parties to find a political solution.
They expect Iran to attack Israel within days in response to the assassination of Hamas terrorist chief Ismail Hainyeh in Tehran last week.
The Foreign Office reiterated calls for Britons to leave Lebanon while commercial flights were still available. The same warning could be issued to those in Israel.
Border force officers, consular experts and troops were all sent to the region amid planning for “a range of possible conflict scenarios”, including large-scale evacuation.
RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS Duncan, currently in the eastern Mediterranean, and helicopters are being prepared.
A new “register your presence” portal for Brits in Lebanon has received 3,000 applications.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that many thousands more are in the country.
Most are long-term residents and not tourists.
Lammy told a Cabinet meeting that the focus would be on encouraging a reduction in tensions.
PM Sir Keir Starmer spoke to the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and urged restraint.
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