The UK’s Foreign Office said on Monday it was temporarily withdrawing some British embassy staff from Lebanon.

Reuters notes it had already advised Britons against all travel to Lebanon due to the conflict between neighbouring Israel and Gaza, and encouraged any Britons still in the country to leave while commercial flights remain.

In its travel advice, the Foreign Office says:

"Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning.

In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, the British embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. Do not rely on the Foreign Office being able to evacuate you in an emergency."

Lebanon is to the north of Israel. Since 7 October there have been frequent exchanges of fire between Israel’s military and what it claims are Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists over the UN-drawn blue line which marks the boundary between the two countries. Israel has ordered the evacuation of communities directly south of the blue line.