National

Canada secures limited seats on commercial flights from Lebanon as conflict widens

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2026 12:02 PM

The federal government has secured "a limited number of seats" on commercial flights out of Lebanon for Canadians trying to flee the region, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday.

Anand said 103,000 people have registered with Global Affairs Canada in the Middle East and Gulf region.

The Canadian government is not offering assisted departures from the region.

"Canadians in the region should prepare departure plans that do not rely solely on Government of Canada assistance," Anand said during a media scrum in Ottawa. "Global Affairs Canada is not currently offering assisted departures, but we are in touch with our partners to identify potential options."

The minister said commercial flights are still operating out of Lebanon, which could be an option for people looking to get out of the country.

Some commercial options are also currently available elsewhere in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, but airspace in others, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, are closed.

Israel's ministry of tourism is operating buses to the border with Egypt and Anand said Global Affairs is communicating these options to people registered in the region.

Canadians are being advised to avoid all travel to a number of countries in the region as the U.S.-Iran conflict widens.

Anand said Canada has added diplomatic staff in neighbouring countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan and Turkey.

Israel's military ordered residents in dozens of southern Lebanon border villages to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as airstrikes on Beirut suburbs intensified and Hezbollah claimed more attacks.

Lebanon was dragged early Monday into the war in the Middle East — which erupted following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran — when Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into northern Israel, triggering Israeli retaliatory airstrikes on different parts of the country. Those retaliatory strikes killed more than 50 people, wounded about 300 and displaced tens of thousands from southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Israeli authorities and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in late 2024 after the Iranian-backed militant group started firing at Israel in response to the war in Gaza.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Poll shows more young women want to leave U.S.-their top destination is Canada

A record number of younger American women now say they want to leave the United States — and their most common destination of choice is Canada.

Poll shows more young women want to leave U.S.-their top destination is Canada

A shaky coalition and 'near-death' election put Eby under scrutiny at NDP convention

The New Democrats took 47 seats in the 2025 election, the BC Conservatives 44 and the Green Party won two seats.

A shaky coalition and 'near-death' election put Eby under scrutiny at NDP convention

Sources Foundation’s Isle of Dreams Fundraiser Raises Over $550K for Youth Services

Waves of generosity washed ashore at Isle of Dreams fundraiser this past Saturday, helping Sources Foundation sail past its fundraising goal to raise more than $550,000. Presented by Save-On-Foods and Scotiabank, the tropical-themed annual signature charity event welcomed over 200 guests to Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club - all united by one purpose: to help young people access the supports they need in a timely manner.

Sources Foundation’s Isle of Dreams Fundraiser Raises Over $550K for Youth Services

Sick of sick notes: B.C. limits when employers can request sick notes

The British Columbia government has brought in new rules that limit when an employer can ask for a sick note, saving doctors the burden of writing them and preventing patients from spreading their illness even further.

Sick of sick notes: B.C. limits when employers can request sick notes

Bank of Canada mulled later timing for October rate cut, deliberations show

The Bank of Canada's governing council was on the same page about the need to lower its benchmark interest rate last month — but the exact timing of the cut was up for debate.

Bank of Canada mulled later timing for October rate cut, deliberations show

Poilievre says he won't be changing his leadership style after caucus departures

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave a blunt response on Wednesday when asked if the recent turmoil in his caucus has caused him to reflect on his leadership style.