Canberra, October 7 (IANS). According to official figures, more than 900 Australian citizens have left Lebanon. The Australian government had arranged flights for them.
The government said on Monday that 904 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their family members had left Lebanon on a government-provided flight, Xinhua news agency reported.
The government operated two charter flights from Beirut to Cyprus for Australians on Saturday, with Australian airlines Qantas and Qatar Airways running connecting flights from Cyprus to Sydney.
Qantas’ first flight departed on Sunday night with 349 Australian citizens on board.
More than 3,750 Australians have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs to leave Lebanon.
The government months ago urged Australians living in Lebanon to leave the country, warning that Beirut airport could be closed.
As of Wednesday, there were an estimated 15,000 Australians in Lebanon.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation had reported that two more flights for Australians were scheduled to depart Beirut at 6:30 pm and 11:45 pm. It will be launched on Monday local time depending on demand, operational capacity and security situation.
–IANS
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