<p>Sydney: Australia has urged an estimated 15,000 of its citizens living in Lebanon to leave, flagging a risk Beirut airport may close and the difficulty of evacuating large numbers if the situation worsens.</p><p>Israel widened its airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday and at least 72 people were killed, and Israel's military chief said a ground assault was possible. Britain is moving troops to Cyprus, joining two Royal Navy ships already there, to be in a position to help evacuate nationals trapped in Lebanon.</p><p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had made contingency plans that could include evacuations by water, but declined to give details.</p><p>"We're looking at every option, but there's obviously national security issues," he said in a <em>Sky News</em> interview.</p>.If diplomacy fails, Israel will use all means in Lebanon: UN envoy.<p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period, and Australians should leave now. Wong said she had met with her British counterpart and discussed the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon.</p><p>Around 15,000 Australians live in Lebanon, according to Australia's foreign ministry.</p><p>"Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve," Albanese said in comments broadcast on ABC Television.</p><p>"We've been meeting on this through appropriate bodies over a period of time, including engaging with our friends and allies," he added.</p><p>In 2006, Australia evacuated over 5000 of its citizens and another 1200 foreigners from Lebanese ports, with the cooperation of Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and Turkey, during a war between Hezbollah and Israel.</p><p>The 2006 consular operation was Australia's largest ever evacuation, involving 17 ships, 22 Australian aircraft and over 470 buses. </p>
<p>Sydney: Australia has urged an estimated 15,000 of its citizens living in Lebanon to leave, flagging a risk Beirut airport may close and the difficulty of evacuating large numbers if the situation worsens.</p><p>Israel widened its airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday and at least 72 people were killed, and Israel's military chief said a ground assault was possible. Britain is moving troops to Cyprus, joining two Royal Navy ships already there, to be in a position to help evacuate nationals trapped in Lebanon.</p><p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government had made contingency plans that could include evacuations by water, but declined to give details.</p><p>"We're looking at every option, but there's obviously national security issues," he said in a <em>Sky News</em> interview.</p>.If diplomacy fails, Israel will use all means in Lebanon: UN envoy.<p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period, and Australians should leave now. Wong said she had met with her British counterpart and discussed the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon.</p><p>Around 15,000 Australians live in Lebanon, according to Australia's foreign ministry.</p><p>"Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve," Albanese said in comments broadcast on ABC Television.</p><p>"We've been meeting on this through appropriate bodies over a period of time, including engaging with our friends and allies," he added.</p><p>In 2006, Australia evacuated over 5000 of its citizens and another 1200 foreigners from Lebanese ports, with the cooperation of Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and Turkey, during a war between Hezbollah and Israel.</p><p>The 2006 consular operation was Australia's largest ever evacuation, involving 17 ships, 22 Australian aircraft and over 470 buses. </p>