Lebanon: Evacuation of British nationals nears as carrier and assualt ship approach coast

Two Royal Navy ships, aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and assault ship HMS Bulwark, are sailing across the Mediterranean to undertake the evacuation of British nationals.

Up to 10,000 British citizens are believed to be currently in the Lebanon, but many have family ties there and it remains uncertain how many would wish to leave. No formal announcement has yet been made on whether plans to evacuate those who wish to leave will be activated.

EU foreign affairs supremo Javier Solana has joined a team of UK diplomats and consular staff on a flight into Beirut from Cyprus onboard an RAF helicopter. While Mr Solana was due to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, his British co-passengers were continuing preparations for a joint international evacuation by land, air or sea.

It is understood that preparations include talks calling on Israel to hold fire to prevent western vessels or aeroplanes coming under attack as they try to remove foreign nationals. But officials stressed that the parties were being urged to call a complete ceasefire beyond the scope of any evacuation.

British charity workers have told of the "absolutely horrific" sight of bombers passing overhead and the feeling of powerlessness to stop the killing. Fierce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah raged for the fifth day since the kidnap of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah plunged the Middle East into crisis.

Addiction counsellor Clair Vainola, 31, from Newcastle upon Tyne was spending tonight in the refuge of a small yacht moored in a marina close to the US embassy in the hope that the site would be safe from Israeli bombing. She told how other foreigners including Australians had also gathered at the same spot. Describing her experiences, she said that the past five days had been full of "worst moments.":

"The worst moment for me was that look of terror on people's faces, mothers and women crying, trying to escape where the Israelis are bombing. For me the worst moment is when I hear planes going over my head carrying missiles, when I see buildings going up in smoke knowing that people are being killed and that I am powerless to do anything."

"What keeps me going is my faith in God - not Tony Blair - because I ultimately believe that whatever happens I will be OK either way... I have just got to have that faith that ultimately I will reach back home. I could make a run for it up to Syria but unfortunately I am a woman on my own, it is very dangerous state of affairs if I could do that. I'm stuck as a sitting duck."

US helicopters carrying US security teams have landed at the US embassy from where an evacuation of more than 20,000 Americans is being planned but British intentions have yet to be announced.

In an update to stranded Britons the Foreign Office said: "We are working towards a properly organised - and safe - arrangement to get those people out who want to leave, should this be required and should the opportunity arise."

With Beirut airport out of action, a naval blockade of Lebanese ports in place and the main Damascus highway closed, Britons were again urged not to try to flee by themselves but to be poised to travel at short notice.

Officials said that they were collecting details of all those who called the British Embassy.

As the British ships set off for the Middle East - the Illustrious from Gibraltar and the Bulwark from Barcelona - families of one of the crews left home disappointed as the ship had been due to return to Portsmouth at the end of a tour of duty. Partners and children of personnel on the Illustrious had travelled to Gibraltar to meet the ship in port and sail back to Portsmouth on board. As the carrier readied to head to the Middle East, they were put up in hotels and flown home.

In its message to stranded Britons the Foreign Office said: "For the moment, given the uncertain security situation, we are advising people in Lebanon to stay put, exercise caution, keep in touch with the Embassy and heed local advice. You should listen to BBC and other English language broadcasts. We are taking details of all those who call us.

"We are keeping the situation under close review but you should get ready for departure at short notice if the situation changes, including by having travel documents in order."

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