OTTAWA — Global Affairs Canada said it has now helped more than 1,000 passengers leave Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah intensifies.
The department said one flight on Saturday open to Canadians in Lebanon carried 126 passengers, and another on Sunday carried 139 out of the country.
The department continues to urge Canadians to flee Lebanon, and said it has offered flights in the past week to more than 5,000 Canadians, permanent residents and immediate family members who have expressed an interest in leaving.
It said the passengers it has helped include Canadians, permanent residents and immediate family members, as well as nationals from countries including the U.S., Argentina and Australia, among several others.
It said as of Sunday, there were more than 25,000 Canadians registered as being in Lebanon, but Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has said some 45,000 Canadians could be in the country.
The department said commercial flights continue to be available to a range of destinations, with departures in the coming days.