Saudi Arabia evacuates embassy staff and families of diplomats in Beirut, Airport official say

AP , Tuesday 24 Oct 2023

Lebanese airport officials say Saudi Arabia has evacuated the families of its diplomats and employees at the embassy in Beirut on two military planes that left Lebanon’s capital on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia embassy in Beirut
Saudi Arabia embassy in Beirut. Photo: Saudi Press Agency

 

There was no official announcement from Saudi authorities, but the move came days after Saudi Arabia urged its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

The Saudi embassy did not respond to calls for comment.

The officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations said Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari as well as the military attache and other diplomats and staffers did not leave the country.

The officials said about 65 people left Lebanon Tuesday afternoon.

It was not immediately clear if the embassy was still functioning as normal.

The departures come amid rising tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border where members of the militant Hezbollah group have been exchanging fire with Israeli troops on a daily basis.

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