British Armed Forces prepare evacuation plans for safety of UK nationals in Lebanon

Elements from across the British Armed Forces are working with the Joint Task Force in Cyprus to prepare for various contingencies to ensure the safety of UK citizens in Lebanon.

Members of the task force are working with the UK Government to provide options if UK citizens have to be evacuated from the country, using elements from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Commandos, the British Army and the Royal Air Force.

Defence Secretary John Healey has visited Cyprus this week to speak to personnel stationed there.

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Brigadier Paul Maynard, Joint Task Force Commander, told BFBS Forces News: "In Lebanon right now there is a clear direction from the Government for British nationals to leave now, whilst commercial means are available and it's safe to do so.

"We're here in support of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office who are leading the charge in terms of responding to the crisis that we're facing, not just in Lebanon but across the whole broader Middle East.

"Our colleagues in the Foreign Office are working day and night to manage and enable those British citizens and their dependents to get out of Lebanon via either increasing capacity into the commercial air bridge or laying on charter air options.

"Our role right now is to support them in their efforts and endeavours."

The Joint Task Force has been asked to step in if conventional or commercial options become unavailable for British nationals to leave Lebanon.

Their role includes planning a range of options that the Government may wish to implement if a military evacuation becomes necessary.

A range of capabilities have been delivered to Cyprus and are ready to respond to the situation as it develops in the Middle East.

More than 700 troops have already been deployed to Cyprus to assist with any response.

HMS Duncan and RFA Mounts Bay have also been sent to join the Joint Task Force and will act as the maritime components.

Brig Maynard said: "We have a range of units from the UK Commando Force led by 45 Commando.

"We have a range of specialist units from across the British Army, and indeed the wider Royal Navy.

"In the aviation component, we have a number of helicopters at our disposal."