Australians told to leave amid conflict fears
The families of Australian diplomats based in two Middle Eastern countries have been urged to leave as the security situation in the region worsens.
Families of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon have been advised to leave, as the government cites unpredictable security tensions in the Middle East.
The Australian government has also offered voluntary departures to its diplomats’ dependents in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar, it said on the Smart Traveller website on Wednesday.
“This is a precautionary measure, in view of regional tensions,” the advice states.
“Australia’s embassies in Tel Aviv and Beirut remain open.
“The situation in the Middle East is unpredictable.”
Embassies will also remain open in Jordan’s Amman, Qatar’s Doha and UAE’s Abu Dhabi, along with the consulate in Dubai.
The advice comes after US President Donald Trump laid out plans for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech to Congress.
Trump said he would not allow the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon.
Iran and the US resumed negotiations earlier in February as Washington builds up military capability in the Middle East.
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Iran has threatened to strike US bases in the region if it is attacked, but Tehran’s top diplomat said on Tuesday that a deal with the US was “within reach” if diplomacy was prioritised.
The Australian government continues to advise citizens in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving while commercial options are still available, the foreign ministry said.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said families “absolutely should be heeding that advice”.
“It’s the best advice we have, and there’s no question that the situation there appears to be hotting up,” he told Sky News.
-with AAP
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