America News Agency

The United States has ordered dozens of troops to be deployed to Cyprus to prepare for scenarios including the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation in Lebanon as "unstable" and "potentially deteriorating rapidly" and said his government had chartered planes to evacuate its citizens. However, as further evacuations were not guaranteed, he told his citizens, "It is vital that you leave immediately."

Cyprus, the EU member state closest to the Middle East, is likely to be a major hub for evacuations. Neighboring Turkey has also announced that it will make it easier for countries to evacuate their citizens.

Germany's foreign and defence ministries said in a joint statement on Monday that it has evacuated non-essential personnel, families of embassy staff, and medically vulnerable German citizens from Lebanon and will support others trying to leave.

France has warned its citizens not to travel to Lebanon and has been making evacuation plans for months but has not ordered an evacuation. Current emergency plans focus on Cyprus and Beirut airport, while it is also discussing evacuations via Turkey. France has a warship in the region and a helicopter carrier in the southern French town of Toulon that will take several days to reach the area.

Canada said it has reserved 800 seats on commercial flights for Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate families over the next three days, with the next flight scheduled for Wednesday. About 45,000 Canadians are currently in Lebanon.

Australia has urged about 15,000 of its citizens in Lebanon to leave while Beirut airport remains open. The Toronto Star newspaper suggested Canada would cooperate with Australia in a plan to charter a commercial ship to carry 1,000 people each day

A Bulgarian government jet has returned to Sofia with 89 citizens evacuated from Lebanon. Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev welcomed them at Sofia airport on Monday and said the government was discussing all options for future evacuations.

The Greek foreign ministry urged its citizens to leave Lebanon and avoid travelling to the country. A frigate was reportedly on standby in case assistance was needed.