British troops on standby in Middle East for major evacuation of expats from Lebanon

BRITISH troops are on standby in the Middle East for a major evacuation of expats from Lebanon.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy yesterday insisted the Government was “ready and prepared” to respond to an all-out war between Israel, Iran and its terror proxy Hezbollah.

Getty

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli attack in Khiam, southern Lebanon[/caption]

It came as six Hezbollah fighters were killed in Israeli strikes yesterday, while the terror group carried out rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel.

In a show of force, low-flying Israeli warplanes repeatedly broke the sound barrier over Beirut.

The Israeli military said its air force struck a Hezbollah structure in the Nabatiyeh area that was being used to advance attacks.

British diplomats have urged all sides to find a political solution.

They expect Iran to strike at Israel within days in response to its assassination of Hamas terror chief Ismail Hainyeh in Tehran last week.

The Foreign Office reiterated calls for Britons to get out of Lebanon while commercial flights were still available. The same warning could be issued to those in Israel.

Border force officials, consular experts and troops have all been sent to the region amid planning for “a range of possible conflict scenarios”, including large-scale evacuation.

RFA Cardigan Bay and HMS ­Duncan, currently in the eastern Med, and helicopters are being readied.

A new “register your presence” portal for Brits in Lebanon has received 3,000 sign-ups.

The Foreign Office believes many thousands more are in the country.

Most are long-term residents rather than holidaymakers.

Mr Lammy told a Cabinet meeting the focus would be on encouraging de-escalation of tensions.

PM Sir Keir Starmer spoke to the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and urged restraint.