Sir Keir Starmer has urged Israel and Lebanon to “step back from the brink” as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister instructed British troops to head over to Cyprus as the UK Government draws up “contingency plans” for UK nationals leaving Lebanon.
Fears of an overspill in the war between Israel and Hamas arose this week after Benjamin Netanyahu launched the country’s biggest offensive against Lebanese group Hezbollah since 2006.
Defence Secretary John Healy yesterday chaired an emergency Cobra meeting as tensions soared.
Healy later urged British nationals to leave Lebanon, warning: “British nationals should leave now.”
The Prime Minister echoed Healy’s comments, adding: “It is important that we be really, really clear: now is the time to leave.”
Two British warships are already in the region and would be used if any evacuation operation is ordered.
Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby.
It has been reported that RAF Akrotiri, a UK military base in Cyprus, would be used as an important staging post.
Discussing heightened tensions in the Middle East, Starmer said: “I think we need to be clear we need de-escalation, we need a ceasefire, we need to pull back from the brink.”
Israel launched a series of strikes against Lebanon on Monday as Benjamin Netanyahu urged civilians to “get out of the way” to ensure the IDF can take on Hezbollah.
The strikes reportedly resulted in 490 people being killed and another 1,600 sustaining injuries.
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Starmer speech heckler says he spoke about Gaza and Lebanon
The lone pro-Palestine protester who heckled Sir Keir Starmer has spoken about why he staged his intervention to raise concerns about Gaza and Lebanon.
Daniel Riley, 18, said: “Everyday we’re still sending British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Lebanon and in Gaza right now and the prime minister – he could stop that, he could stop that right now but he doesn’t.
“And he says that he wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to actually stop it.”
Asked if he had planned to disrupt the leader’s speech, Riley added: “No, I was a delegate, I’m a Labour Party member, I hoped I’d be one for life but I suspect not now.”
