The US Department of State is partially withdrawing its diplomatic staff in Lebanon amid rising Iranian tensions.
Modern.az reports that, according to "Reuters", non-essential government employees working at the US embassy in Beirut and their family members are being evacuated from the country.
A senior State Department official stated that after a recent assessment of the security environment, it was decided to retain only essential personnel. According to him, the embassy continues its operations and maintains its ability to provide services to US citizens.
Sources report that 50 people have been evacuated. An official at Beirut airport, however, announced that 32 embassy employees, along with their family members, have left the country.
The decision coincides with the US increasing its military presence in the Middle East and President Donald Trump warning of “very bad consequences” if no agreement is reached with Iran on its nuclear program. Iran, for its part, has declared that it would target US bases in the region if attacked.
