Australia urges families of diplomats in the Middle East to evacuate

Canberra (ANTARA) - The Australian government on Wednesday evening (25/2) urged the families of diplomats in the Middle East to evacuate due to the unpredictable security situation.

In an updated information released through the Smartraveller service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia said that the government had instructed family members of Australian officials stationed in Israel and Lebanon to return home.

It was mentioned that Australian citizens in Israel and Lebanon should consider leaving the country while commercial options are still available.

Separately, DFAT said that the government had offered voluntary repatriation to family members of diplomats stationed in Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The warning was issued amid a large-scale deployment of US military forces in the Middle East ahead of nuclear negotiations with Iran.