Australia tells non-essential diplomats to leave Lebanon

Australia has ordered non-essential staff to leave Lebanon amid worsening security, with only a few officials staying to provide consular support, Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed.

Christine Chen/Reuters

13 March 2026 at 08:07:59

Australia tells non-essential diplomats to leave Lebanon

A large plume of smoke covers the city skyline following reported Israeli strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 13, 2026.

Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Australia has told non-essential officials posted to Lebanon to leave due to the "deteriorating security situation" in the region, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday.

Wong said a small number of officials would remain in the country to provide consular support to Australians.

-Christine Chen/Reuters