Poland has advised its citizens against travelling to Lebanon, Israel and Iran amid fears of a wider Middle East war.
“In connection with a growing number of Polish tourists visiting Lebanon, Israel and Iran, we want to repeat that we have long advised against any kind of travel to this region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the social media platform X.
“The unstable security situation makes it possible to believe that it will be more and more difficult to leave the three countries,” the ministry added.
Prior to this, LOT Polish Airlines announced that it cancelled eight flights to Lebanon and Israel because of the security situation.
Also, France’s foreign ministry called for its citizens visiting Iran to “leave as soon as possible” because of the height of possible military escalation by Tehran.
“French nationals are strongly advised not to travel to Iran for any reason whatsoever,” the ministry said.
It warned of possible retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel that would make any trip to Iran dangerous for visitors.
UN Peace Coordinator Meets Middle East Officials, Urging De-Escalation
Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, disclosed in a statement that he has met in recent days with officials from Qatar, Egypt and Lebanon, highlighting the “growing risk of a serious escalation” in the region.
His meetings come after Israel killed top Hezbollah official, Fuad Shukr in a strike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and the assassination of Hamas political head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
“It is crucial that we act decisively and collectively to address the immediate threats and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace”, Wennesland said, adding that he will remain engaged with all “relevant parties” to support current mediation efforts attempting to prevent the Gaza war from spilling over into a regional war.
Separately, Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani had a phone conversation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
Kani demanded that the EU convince Israel to stop escalating things in the Middle East.
According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the diplomat stressed that, in accordance with its obligations on maintaining international peace and security, the European Union must put pressure on Israel in order “to prevent the continuation of crimes by this regime.”
The top Iranian diplomat criticized “the move by some European countries alongside the US to prevent the condemnation of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by the top UN body.”
It was reported that on July 31, 2024, an emergency session of the UN Security Council was held.
Russia suggested to approve a statement for the media condemning the assassination of the Palestinian politician but the UK, the US and France blocked the document.
Bagheri Kani stressed that “this action by those European countries and their silence regarding the Zionist regime’s war-mongering in Yemen and Lebanon has emboldened Tel Aviv to continue its acts of aggression, which will lead to jeopardizing peace and stability in the region.”
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Borrell “expressed concern over the rising tension and the possibility of a full-fledged war in the region and its implications for regional nations,” noting Iran’s “right to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
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