Britain and other Western nations could follow the US in issuing a rare “worldwide security alert” as conflicts flare across Europe and the Middle East.
The war between Israel and Hamas has prompted organisations to reevaluate the state of global security, with the ongoing back-and-forth now spreading into neighbouring nations.
Lebanon has become the latest nation to experience fallout from the conflict, with southern regions neighbouring Israel serving as a stronghold for terror group Hizbollah.
The US State Department, UK and German governments have responded by asking foreign nationals to leave the country, with American officials going a step further and raising the global alert.
The White House has advised all American nationals to “exercise increased caution” as tensions surge “in various locations around the world”.
The State Department issued the warning as US embassies became targets for anti-Israeli protests.
Middle Eastern and North African government buildings have become caught in the crossfire between protesters and local authorities, as have their British counterparts.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday, October 18, and targeted the British and French embassies.
Protesters pelted the walls of the French embassy with eggs and were heard shouting: “Death to France and England.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters have also gathered in London, with thousands of people having appeared outside the Israeli embassy since Hamas struck the country on October 7.
But the UK is less of a target than the US, with the American state seen as the primary sponsor of Israel, meaning fewer demonstrations have centred on British embassies.
The Government also tends not to issue general security alerts for British citizens, preferring instead to provide country-specific warnings.
The latest advisory, issued on October 18, warns people against travel to any region of Lebanon, including its capital city, Beirut.
The advisory states: “You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.
“British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice.”
