At least 15,000 Australians remain in Lebanon amid rising regional conflict
The Prime Minister has again appealed for Australians in Lebanon to come home, amid rising regional conflict. More than 15,000 Australian citizens and residents remain in the region, despite warnings to leave while flights are still available.
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00:00There's at least 15,000, anywhere up to 30,000 Australians and residents in Lebanon at the
00:10moment.
00:11That's despite repeated warnings from the government since October not to travel to
00:17the region and more recently to leave while they still can.
00:23The concern really goes to the prospect of the airport closing and airlines no longer
00:31being able to fly in and out of the region and even limitations on evacuation flights
00:37that may stem as a result of that.
00:39The recent assassination of a senior commander of Hezbollah has only added to those concerns
00:45as too has the militant group's promise or vow to retaliate.
00:50Here's what the Prime Minister has to say.
00:53There are thousands who have travelled to Lebanon this year in spite of the very clear
01:00statements that the Australian Government has made.
01:04We don't produce these advisers on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade websites.
01:15These travel warnings aren't academic, they're real.
01:19A lot of Australians are in the region, particularly at this time of year because it's summer over
01:24there.
01:25This is one of the primary opportunities for Australians to travel to the region and connect
01:31with family and other relatives and friends.
01:34The concern has been somewhat measured by some because of the all too often occurrence
01:41of this sort of thing in the region.
01:44Many are only too familiar with the prospect of strikes, living amongst rubble and ruin
01:51as well.
01:52Here's what some of those Australians in the region have had to say.
01:57They cancelled all the trips from Dubai and Qatar to Beirut.
02:01So how can we go back to Sydney?
02:06We're asking the Australian Government to find some solution for us.
02:11Should we be able to secure a flight, there's going to be a cost prohibition on achieving
02:19that outcome of leaving this country.
02:20I would expect the Government to hold on its position, which it's made quite clear to us,
02:25which is that if you are stranded in this country, you'll have to make your own way
02:29back to your country, to Australia, or be prepared to endure a longer stay in this country.
02:36So we're preparing for the worst and we're hoping for the best.
02:39If you're used to the situation over here, it's like another day in a way, but in saying
02:44that the situation does clear up at certain times.
02:47So we're keeping a good eye on things.
02:50The Government's advice remains clear that if you are considering travel to the region,
02:57don't go ahead with those plans.
02:59And if you are already in the region, take advantage of the commercial flights that are
03:04still available while that's still an option too.
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