Russia recommends citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW - The Russian Embassy in Beirut recommended on Thursday its citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon.

Speaking in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel, Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov urged Russians to wait untill the situation in the country calms down.

Cross-border tension between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, continuing since the Gaza war in October, has escalated in recent weeks, stoking fears of an all-out war. Exchange of fire has led to the evacuation of thousands of people from areas on both sides of the border.

The diplomat said an all-out conflict between Israel and Lebanon is "possible," adding that the embassy has an action plan in such a scenario.

Rudakov emphasized that right now "there are no reasons for serious panic," adding that the diplomatic mission continues to operate normally and takes the necessary security measures for its employees.