PETALING JAYA: Malaysian ambassador to Lebanon Azri Mat Yacob said he and embassy personnel have been ordered to leave the Middle East country, a day after Israeli strikes in central Beirut left 22 dead and scores injured.
Azri said he and three others will be returning to Malaysia on Sunday and Monday, Berita Harian reported.
He also revealed that 22 Malaysians had been evacuated earlier this month.
Azri said only one Malaysian, a Mercy Malaysia representative, was left in the country, and the latter will leave Lebanon tomorrow.
"The second phase of the evacuation will involve four embassy officers, including myself, the first and second secretaries as well as the office secretary," he was quoted as saying.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted a year ago when the Iranian-backed group opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war.
It has however intensified dramatically in recent weeks, with Tel Aviv bombing Beirut’s southern suburbs, the south and the Bekaa Valley, and killing many of Hezbollah’s top leaders.
Putrajaya had on Oct 2 ordered all Malaysians in Lebanon to be evacuated immediately.
Azri also advised volunteers travelling to Lebanon to postpone their journey temporarily and wait for the situation to stabilise.
There are other ways for Malaysians to channel their assistance to the people of Lebanon without having to travel to the country.
