The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said that it has been keeping in touch with three nationals who continue to stay in Lebanon, despite its warning to leave the country as soon as possible as tensions rise in the Middle East.
The US, the UK and France have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately as fears of war loom following Iran’s vow to avenge the assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr.
The Lebanese group Hezbollah, an ally of the Palestinian group Hamas, has been trading cross-border fire with the Israeli army since an Israeli assault on Gaza began in October last year, following Hamas’ attack on Israeli territory.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The ministry yesterday said that there were five Taiwanese citizens living in Lebanon, citing information obtained by Taiwan’s representative office in Jordan that is in charge of Lebanon affairs.
Following the ministry’s recent warning about rising tensions, three of them left Lebanon, while three decided to stay due to “family reasons,” it said.
Another Taiwanese student is staying in Lebanon temporarily and is considering leaving after receiving the ministry’s warning, the agency said in a news release.
The ministry is keeping in touch with the three citizens remaining in Lebanon and will offer assistance to help them leave should they decide to, it added.
Meanwhile, the ministry reiterated its advice to Taiwanese citizens not to travel to Lebanon and Israel for safety reasons.
In case of emergency, Taiwanese citizens in Israel should call its office in Tel Aviv at +972-544-275-204. Those who need emergency assistance while in Lebanon should call Taiwan’s office in Jordan at +962-79-5552605, it said.
The ministry has issued the highest-level red alert for Lebanon and the second-highest orange alert for Israel.
It uses a four-tiered travel advisory regarding safety and security risks. The lowest level, gray, signifies caution should be exercised; yellow suggests travel should be reconsidered; orange indicates unnecessary travel should be avoided; and red asks nationals not to travel to a destination.
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