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Australian Government officials assisting Australians to depart Lebanon on two government-supported charter flights from Beirut Airport to Larnaca, Cyprus and on to Australia.

Emotional Scenes As First Flight Of Aussies Arrives From Lebanon

Hundreds of Australians evacuating Lebanon have touched down in Sydney, the first of two repatriation flights the Federal Government has sent.

Around 350 people were on board the Qantas plane that touched down at 7:30 pm last night as family members gathered at the terminal.

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One passanger, Dana Hamieh said, “I never knew the importance of having this passport until today.”

“Honestly. So thank you very much Australia. I wanted to say safety is more important than freedom. Now we feel safe.”

Israel is intensifying air strikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut as part of its campaign against Hezbollah.

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The plane left from Cyprus, an island near Lebanon thought to be the nearest safe pick-up point.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government was working to help more Australians flee Lebanon but noted that flights were “subject to security and operational restrictions”.

“There is no guarantee of preferred flights or that these flights will continue,” Wong said.

Israel is intensifying air strikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut as part of its campaign against Hezbollah.

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