The UK is committed to defending, promoting and strengthening Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. Lebanon is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Maintaining and strengthening close relationships with religious leaders across Lebanon is a priority for the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP, supported by the British Embassy in Beirut. The UK also maintains close relations with civil society organisations in Lebanon that champion FoRB.

The UK and likeminded donors continue to work closely with the Government of Lebanon to help address pressures facing its education sector - including as a result of Lebanon's economic crisis. In February, the Foreign Secretary announced a £2.6 million contribution to support the education of vulnerable out-of-school children in Lebanon. The UK is also providing £7.35 million to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, which supports UN agencies and NGOs to provide education, as well as other critical services such as food, water and shelter to vulnerable communities across Lebanon.

The UK is committed to defending, promoting and strengthening Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and partnering with Lebanon in the shared fight against terrorism. Since 2016, the UK has provided over £6 million in funding to the Tripoli and Beirut-based MARCH, which promotes social cohesion and combats violent extremism, supporting vulnerable youth to become positive actors in their communities. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP, continue to maintain close relationships with religious leaders across Lebanon.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has records of six instances where we provided consular assistance to UK nationals in Lebanon between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2024. This number represents instances where consular assistance was provided following initial triage through our Consular Contact Centre. It does not include those who have registered their presence in Lebanon to receive updates from the FCDO. At present, we advise against all travel to Lebanon and advise British nationals currently in Lebanon to leave now via commercial means.

We are aware of reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International alleging the use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and Gaza. HMG will not provide a running commentary on possible violations of International Humanitarian Law. The Government keeps policy regularly under review to ensure it meets our obligations and needs at the time. While it is the responsibility of the parties themselves to ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law, the UK Government is scrupulous in ensuring that its own actions do not in any way assist or support the violation of international law.

The UK has long condemned the destabilising activities of Hizballah and its affiliates, including Green Without Borders, in the region. Hizballah's activities, particularly along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, pose a grave threat to civilians living in the vicinity, as well as UN peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). At this time of heightened tension in the region, there is an urgent need for calm along the Blue Line. We do not speculate about future UK sanctions designations.

We are actively monitoring reports of a tent being placed south of the Blue Line border by Hezbollah in the Shebaa Farms area. We have discussed this issue with both Lebanon and Israel. We encourage all parties to engage with the relevant UN authorities to find a diplomatic solution to removing the tent and avoid escalation. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, we support the stability and security of Lebanon and Israel through our contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The UK remains concerned by Hezbollah's activities within Lebanon which are in clear breach of UN Security Council Resolutions 1509 and 1701.

The UK Government condemned the indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza at the time they took place. There is no change in UK policy: the UK remains resolute in its commitment to Israel's security and recognises Israel's right to self-defence. We urge all sides to avoid taking actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.

The UN and NGOs have reported an increase in operations by the Lebanese security forces to detain and deport Syrians in recent months. UNHCR have said that precise data is difficult to gather on exactly how many refugees are being deported from Lebanon. We agree with the UN's assessment that Syria is not safe for voluntary and dignified returns. We are engaging closely with partners and with the Government of Lebanon to emphasise the principle of non-refoulement, and that due process is followed to protect the rights of refugees.

There is no requirement for British nationals to register with the British Government before travelling to Lebanon. As such, we do not hold an official total of British nationals in Lebanon. However, FCDO consular officials work with the Lebanese authorities and travel providers to establish rough estimates of the numbers of British nationals in Lebanon. We estimate that there are over 10,000 British nationals and dependents in the country at any one time. We urge any British National travelling to Lebanon to check the latest travel advice. (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon)

Lebanon is experiencing a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Since 2011, the UK has provided over £850 million in humanitarian, development, and stabilisation assistance in Lebanon. This includes providing non-formal education services to over 150,000 vulnerable children, and humanitarian cash assistance to over 160,000 Syrian refugees and supporting Lebanese communities hosting refugees to improve infrastructure and services. The UK is also a long-standing supporter of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to maintain Lebanon's security internally and on its borders. We will continue to support the most vulnerable but is clear that Lebanon's leaders must deliver economic reforms to alleviate the crisis and set the country on a path to long-term economic stability.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) provides authoritative assessments on displacement. It estimates there are over 6.6 million Syrian refugees worldwide, of which 5.5 million are hosted in countries near Syria, notably Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. The Lebanese Government estimates there are 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Lebanese Government instructed UNHCR to suspend the new registration of refugees at the beginning of 2015 and we have urged the Lebanese government to enable refugee registration by UNHCR to resume. Accurate registration of refugees facilitates international support and is in everyone's interest.