Defence Secretary John Healey visits RAF Akrotiri, during a visit to Cyprus to meet troops as the Government steps up efforts for a potential evacuation of Lebanon with the Middle East teetering on the brink of wider war.
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00:00I can confirm UK planes were in the skies, they were part of an effort to help prevent
00:08further escalation and to show the UK's continuing steadfast support for Israel's security.
00:14And I've had a chance this afternoon to meet and talk with Typhoon pilots and ground crew,
00:21to thank them for their courage, their professionalism and actually their commitment to getting those
00:26planes in the sky.
00:28The nature of the attack was different last night, UK planes were in the skies, they were
00:33ready to engage, they did not need to do so.
00:37Israel's own defence dealt with what was a massive missile attack from Iran that I totally
00:44condemn and as Kiarstama said, we stand steadfast with Israel's right to security for the future
00:53and will continue to do so.
00:55Our government advice to all Brits in Lebanon is get out now, we've been booking extra seats
01:01on commercial flights that are still leaving Beirut airport and today we've also booked
01:05the first special chartered commercial flight out, so those who are wanting to leave and
01:12ready to leave and responding to our government urging to leave can do so and continue to
01:18do so.
01:19Well I've made very clear to the Israelis and I know from speaking to my US counterpart
01:27they're saying the same thing, look it's vital that we as nations if we have to are able
01:33to get our nation, nationals out of Lebanon safely.
01:37Israel understand that, Israel understand that well and will continue to make that case
01:43but of course the way of avoiding this best is to see a ceasefire in Lebanon and a negotiated
01:50settlement along the lines of the UN plan that's on the table now.