Royal Navy sailing for Lebanon
[[Image:HMS_Illustrious_1.jpg|right|top|200px|thumb|HMS Illustrious (R06)]]
[[Image:HMSBulwarkL15.jpg|right|top|200px|thumb|HMS Bulwark (L15).]]
{{date|July 15, 2006}}

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier [[w:HMS Illustrious (R06)|HMS Illustrious]] and landing ship [[w:HMS Bulwark (L15)|HMS Bulwark]] have been ordered to 'make ready' to sail to [[w:Lebanon|Lebanon]]. It is reported that [[w:United Kingdom|UK]] ministers are considering plans to evacuate UK citizens who are trapped there due to the [[w:Israel|Israeli]] naval blocade of Lebanese ports and the closure of [[w:Beirut|Beirut]] airport on 13th July after Israeli airstrikes. It is also reported that they will help any [[w:New Zealand|New Zealand]] citizens as New Zealand does not have an embassy.

HMS Bulwark is currently off the coast of Spain and HMS Illustrious is in [[w:Gibraltar|Gibraltar]].

The [[w:Foreign and Commonwealth Office|UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] has advised UK citizens in Lebanon to "stay put for the time being and keep a low profile". They are advised to keep in touch with the British Embassy and to be ready for 'departure' at short notice as well as to have travel documents ready.

The move comes as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon approaches its fifth day.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Hezbollah-Israel conflict continues|date=July 15, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Hezbollah-Israel war continues for a third day|date=July 14, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Day of attacks continue in Israel and Lebanon|date=July 13, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Hezbollah attack Israel; Israeli forces cross over into southern Lebanon|date=July 12, 2006}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5184018.stm
|title=Royal Navy ships head for Lebanon
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=15 July 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386118
|title=UK FCO Advice for Lebanon
|author=
|pub=UK FCO Website
|date=15 July 2006}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Lebanon]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]]
[[Category:Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]
HMS Illustrious (R06)
HMS Bulwark (L15).


The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and landing ship HMS Bulwark have been ordered to 'make ready' to sail to Lebanon. It is reported that UK ministers are considering plans to evacuate UK citizens who are trapped there due to the Israeli naval blocade of Lebanese ports and the closure of Beirut airport on 13th July after Israeli airstrikes. It is also reported that they will help any New Zealand citizens as New Zealand does not have an embassy.

HMS Bulwark is currently off the coast of Spain and HMS Illustrious is in Gibraltar.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised UK citizens in Lebanon to "stay put for the time being and keep a low profile". They are advised to keep in touch with the British Embassy and to be ready for 'departure' at short notice as well as to have travel documents ready.

The move comes as the crisis between Israel and Lebanon approaches its fifth day.
Politics and conflicts Lebanon Israel Middle East United Kingdom 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict Foreign and Commonwealth Office