Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has warned of a real risk that the conflict in the Middle East escalates seriously in a video message last night after Israeli airstrikes killed the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut in the space of 12 hours, crushing hopes for an imminent Gaza ceasefire and raising fears of a “dangerous escalation” in the region.
Wong says her message to Australian citizens and residents in Lebanon is: now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and thinking of travelling to Lebanon – do not.
The Australian Foreign Minister says Beirut Airport could close completely if the situation worsens and if that happens, the government may not be able to help Australians still in Lebanon to evacuate.
She says she knows, Australians, in particular the Lebanese Australian community, are worried.
Wong says they are working with partners in the region to push for restraint and de-escalation but now is not the time for Australians in the region to wait and see what happens, now is the time to leave.
fijivillage News is currently trying to get a confirmation on our peacekeepers in the Middle East.
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source : The Guardian
