Lebanon news: Canada booking seats on flights out [Video]

OTTAWA –

Global Affairs Canada began booking blocks of seats on the few remaining commercial flights leaving Lebanon on Friday as it issued another urgent plea for any Canadians in the country to leave immediately.

“Canadians need to leave now and we are helping with that,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on X late Friday afternoon.

“Canada has secured seats for Canadians on the limited commercial flights available. If a seat is available, please take it.”

Passengers will pay for the flights themselves, but Joly said loans are available for those who need financial assistance.

Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair have been asking Canadians in Lebanon to leave for months as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates. 

On Thursday, Blair said there were still many commercial flight options available, but by Friday those were quickly filling up. 

Global Affairs Canada is taking the step of pre-booking seats …