Canada begins commercially assisted departures from Lebanon – National [Video]

The Canadian government on Friday began coordinating commercially assisted departures for Canadians looking to get out of Lebanon amid mounting violence, Global News has learned.

Global Affairs Canada is reserving blocks of seats on commercial flights for Canadian citizens as it becomes increasingly difficult to book seats independently, sources in two government departments said.

The agency is stressing there are not an unlimited number of seats, and that these departures should not be considered evacuations. The government will also not help people get to the airport in Beirut, which was rocked by explosions Friday.

Any Canadian in Lebanon can use the reserved seats, but the government is reaching out directly to those who have expressed interest in leaving to encourage them to get on the flights.

People will still have to pay for the commercial flights themselves, sources said, but loans are available to those who can’t afford tickets.

More than 700 people have been killed by intensifying Israeli strikes …