BRITISH commandos are on standby ready to airlift civilians from Lebanon if ratcheting tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate to full-blown war. The military has been placed on high alert to launch an emergency evacuation with two ships also on standby in the region. 8 British Royal Navy helicopters evacuate Brits from Beirut in July 2006 during an Israeli military offensive Credit: AFP 8 The site of an Israeli strike in southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday 8 People stand on wrecked cars in Beirut, Lebanon, after an Israeli airstrike 8 Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged Brits to leave Lebanon immediately this week A defence source told The Telegraph the British government "stands prepared" to pull Brits to safety if the situation explodes.
Foreign secretary David Lammy outlined the preparations in an emergency Cobra meeting. He yesterday warned Brits living in Lebanon to leave immediately while "commercial options remain". Officials are also planning to rent aircraft which could be used to carry out the emergency plans.
READ MORE ON MIDDLE EAST EDGE OF WAR Lebanon warns of 'doomsday scenario' as Israel 'pushes for all-out war' BEIRUT BLITZ Israel kills on-the-run terror chief in Beirut airstrike after rocket blitz The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to the country since October last year - when war between Hamas and Israel exploded in Gaza. In the year since, conflict between Israel and Hezbollah - Hamas' Iran-backed ally in Lebanon - has spir.