More flights expected to evacuate Brits from Lebanon amid fears of all-out war

The first government-chartered plane carrying more than 150 UK nationals fleeing Beirut arrived at Birmingham International airport on 8.40pm on Wednesday evening

More flights evacuating Brits from Lebanon are expected to depart today as the conflict in the region intensifies.

The first government-chartered plane carrying more than 150 fleeing UK nationals arrived at Birmingham International airport on 8.40pm on Wednesday evening.

Samia Ydlibi - one of those who managed to secure a seat on the aircraft - was born in Manchester but has lived in Lebanon for 30 years. She told the BBC: "It's crazy, so surreal. I couldn't take it anymore. It was really, really nerve-racking and I'm very, very sad to go. But I'm coming back."

Amal Zahereddine, 18, who arrived with her two sisters, added: "Right now there is no way we can stay. The noises, the situation, is just getting very traumatising so we have no choice."

The Foreign Office said flights will continue for "as long as the security situation allows" - but there are concerns over how long Beirut-Rafic Hariri International airport can remain open. If that happens, the Government could be forced to begin a military-led evacuation, led from British bases in Cyprus.

Yesterday Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of the situation in Lebanon.

"The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our number one priority. That's why we are announcing additional chartered flights to help those who want to leave. I urge all British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the FCDO and leave the country immediately."

The Foreign Office said its officials - some of whom have been sent to Cyprus - have been "working round the lock in London, Beirut and the wider region to provide support to British nationals".

Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday after a call with G7 leaders, Keir Starmer urged the Middle East to step back from the brink after Iranian missiles were fired at Israel. He said: “We call on all sides to show restraint. We also agreed on the urgency of ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza - no one wants a regional war.

"We also agreed on the urgency of ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza to allow space for political situations."

Meanwhile, former PM Tony Blair called for Gaza to be governed by an unspecified third party to end the conflict there. He told Politico that Gaza should be governed by neither Israel nor Hamas, but rather by an unspecified third party as part of a peace deal to “begin a process of reconstruction”.