Canada prepared to use military aircraft for Lebanon evacuation if situation gets worse, Defence Minister says

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The federal government is considering the use of military aircraft as part of an intensified effort to evacuate Canadians from Lebanon if the situation in the embattled country and region gets worse, Defence Minister Bill Blair said.

Mr. Blair, speaking a day after Iran launched a missile attack on Israel, said that Canada has so far been able to effectively manage the number of people who want to leave Lebanon using seats purchased on commercial aircraft.

“But as the situation deteriorates, we are prepared with a scalable response that includes many options, including the possibility of using military aircraft,” he said.

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Global Affairs Canada said, in a statement on Wednesday, that more than 650 seats are available Thursday on commercial flights out of Lebanon as part of a government plan to book such flights for Canadians seeking to leave. It said 291 seats would be available on Friday. Under the plan, travellers have to pay their own airfare.

As of Wednesday, Global Affairs said it has helped 344 Canadians, permanent residents and eligible family members leave Lebanon.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, following a call with other Group of Seven leaders, condemned Iran’s attack and declared his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against such aggression.

“It is a further destabilizing action by this terrorist regime in the region, putting civilians at risk and running the risk of a wider war.”

Iran attacked hours after Israel began what it says is a limited military operation in southern Lebanon, aimed at uprooting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

“Obviously, Israel has the right to defend itself against these attacks,” Mr. Trudeau said.

“At the same time, we have to try and do everything we can to avoid a wider war, to protect civilians and to get humanitarian aid into affected regions.”

In its own summary of the G7 leaders’ call, the White House said U.S. President Joe Biden unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel.

“President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support to Israel and its people, and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” the statement read.

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Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly again urged Canadians who are offered government-organized flights out of Lebanon to take the option if it’s presented.

She said that many seats are available to allow safe passage for hundreds of Canadians seeking an exit through Beirut’s airport.

“So, my point to those watching or listening to us is, if you’re offered a seat, please take it,” she said.

“I know it’s difficult to leave your loved ones. I understand it’s difficult to leave sometimes your home. But please, this is about your own safety and the safety of your loved ones, so please take the seat.”

Ms. Joly said the number of diplomatic, as well as immigration department, staff has been increased at Canada’s embassy in Beirut.

She noted the definition of “Canadians” includes permanent residents, their spouses and children.

Ms. Joly also said Canada has clear goals on dealing with the conflict. “Canada’s role right now and Canada’s goal is to make sure that there is no full-scale war in the Middle East, and so that’s why we’ll continue to engage diplomatically.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in a broadcast interview on Wednesday, described the Iranian attack on Israel as “outrageous,” and called it a terrorist attack in the country.

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“All of these attacks were targeted at civilians. None of them were pinpointing military targets,” he said.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he is concerned about the challenges facing residents of Lebanon, Israel and Gaza because of the conflict.

He said Canada could have done more to address the conflict by enacting an arms embargo to send a message to Israel’s government but has not done so.

“We’ll continue to apply pressure to make sure Canada is doing everything it can to prevent the escalation of violence,” he told journalists.