The Canadian government on Friday began coordinating commercially assisted departures for Canadians looking to get out of Lebanon amid mounting violence, Global News has learned.
Global Affairs Canada is reserving blocks of seats on commercial flights for Canadian citizens as it becomes increasingly difficult to book seats independently, sources in two government departments said.
The agency is stressing there are not an unlimited number of seats, and that these departures should not be considered evacuations. The government will also not help people get to the airport in Beirut, which was rocked by explosions Friday.
Any Canadian in Lebanon can use the reserved seats, but the government is reaching out directly to those who have expressed interest in leaving to encourage them to get on the flights.
People will still have to pay for the commercial flights themselves, sources said, but loans are available to those who can’t afford tickets.
More than 700 people have been killed by intensifying Israeli strikes on Lebanon this week, health officials said Friday, as Israel fights a cross-border battle with Hezbollah that risks turning into an all-out war.
Two Canadians were among those killed, the federal government confirmed.
The Israeli Defense Forces said Friday that a massive strike in Beirut hit the main Hezbollah headquarters in the Lebanese capital.
No military flights are being provided by Canada at the time.
Global News reported Thursday that the Canadian Armed Forces was increasing troops in the region to give the government more flexibility — including the ability to move quickly if an evacuation of Canadian citizens is ordered.
Assets have been pre-positioned for months in the event of an evacuation, but the government has yet to order one, urging Canadians to get out of Lebanon by commercial flights first while they remain available.
Sources said the warnings to leave now are based on concerns about how chaotic an evacuation could become if the situation worsens.
Canada doesn’t have permanent military bases in the region the way American and British forces do, making it necessary for Canada to get troops and assets in position early to ensure they’re not squeezed trying to get into Lebanon, the sources explained.
The U.K. on Friday urged British nationals to leave Lebanon “now” on the next available commercial flight. The U.S. issued the same warning last week, and Canada has been making similar pleas since June.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said last Friday that around 45,000 Canadian citizens are currently in Lebanon. Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday that 20,773 Canadians in Lebanon are registered with the agency.
The government has said “thousands” of Lebanese Canadians have family members and loved ones currently in Lebanon.
“The time to leave Lebanon was weeks ago, but if you’re still there, you need to leave if you are a Canadian,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Montreal.
Canadians in Lebanon are being urged to register with the government’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service to ensure they can be contacted for important updates and consular services.
Joly said Wednesday consular and diplomatic staff have been boosted in Lebanon to assist Canadians looking to leave with documentation and visas.