SYDNEY, March 13, (V7N) – Australia has ordered all non-essential officials in Lebanon to leave, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced Friday, citing the “deteriorating security situation” as the Middle East war entered its third week.  

Ina post on X, Wong said essential staff would remain to assist Australians still in the region. “We urge Australians in the Middle East to leave if you can and if it’s safe to do so. Don’t wait until it’s too late. It may be the last chance for some time,” she warned.  

The directive follows similar orders issued earlier this week for Australian diplomats in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Canberra estimates around 115,000 Australian nationals are spread across the Middle East, with about 2,600 already returning home since the conflict began. 

END/WD/RH

The war erupted on February 28 when US and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf states, including the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.  

Officials report at least 1,200 deaths inside Iran, more than 100 fatalities in Lebanon, 14 in Israel, and 24 across Gulf states — including 11 civilians and seven US military personnel.  

Australia has backed the US-Israeli strikes as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Earlier this week, Canberra announced it would deploy a long-range reconnaissance aircraft to the Gulf to help protect civilians and monitor the volatile situation.  

END/WD/RH