Anthony Albanese strikes stern tone as threat of conflict in Lebanon grows
The Prime Minister has called on Australians to heed “real” travel advice, chastising thousands of Australians who travelled to Lebanon this year despite warnings, amid growing concerns the Middle East conflict is on the brink of escalation.
Striking a sterner tone than he has in the last few days, as Iran vowed to seek vengeance against Israel for the assassination of senior terrorist figures, Anthony Albanese called on people to focus on what was happening.
He said the government was particularly concerned about Australians “continuing to visit Lebanon or staying in Lebanon”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“There are thousands of Australian citizens, thousands who have travelled to Lebanon this year in spite of the very clear statements that the Australian government has made,” he said.
“We don’t produce these warnings... they are not academic, they are real and people need to focus on them.”
Mr Albanese reiterated the government wanted a de-escalation, and did not want to see further conflict in the region.
Israel is bracing for an Iranian assault on five fronts “at any moment”, in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and the military leader of Hezbollah Faud Shukr in Lebanon this week.
Those assassinations came after 12 children were killed while playing football in the occupied Golan Heights, to which Israel vowed to seek vengeance for.
With reports Tehran is shaken in the wake of the assassinations and is plotting its next strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for any “aggression”.
The Australian government is bracing for Beirut airport to be shut down if broader conflict breaks out.
At least 15,000 Australians are still in Lebanon - but there are fears the figure could be high as 30,000.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts on Thursday said it could be harder to get Australians out this time than it was during the 2006 Lebanon war, when the Howard government used flights, ferries and buses to evacuate people.
“Since the 2006 evacuation we’ve seen that terrible, terrible explosion at the Beirut port which has affected port capacity there,” he told ABC News.
“We’ve also seen a deterioration in the security situation of adjoining countries to Lebanon. So the context we’re operating in ... (and) the plans we’ve made … are far more complex today than they were in the past.
“Don’t push your luck. Don’t wait and see how this turns out. The time to leave is now.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has written to senior community leaders, urging them to encourage Australians in Lebanon to urgently leave.
