The UK government has requested access to Lebanon’s airspace for military use as it becomes more involved in the spiralling conflict with Iran.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out joining the US-Israeli attack on Iran, but the UK is increasing its military deployment in the region following an attack on its airbase in Cyprus.
Lebanese ministers are expected to discuss the British request during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Beirut-based advocacy group The Legal Agenda warned that granting the UK military access to Lebanese airspace could result in Lebanon being dragged deeper into the conflict.
“We urge the government to withhold this approval given the ongoing war in the region and in accordance with its declared policy of not involving Lebanon in the conflict,” it said in a statement.
It also called on the government to obey international law and follow Spain in refusing the US military permission to use its bases to attack Iran.
The rapidly expanding regional conflict spilled over into Lebanon on Sunday after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Israel has launched dozens of airstrikes across Lebanon and ordered hundreds of thousands of people to flee the south of the country and southern Beirut. At least 77 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the aerial assault.
The Lebanese government has instructed the army not to engage Israeli units in a bid to avoid being sucked deeper into the conflict and provoke attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Speaking to Al Araby Al Jadeed, sources in Lebanon’s foreign ministry characterised the British request as routine and claimed it was not related to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment on operational matters and said it was committed to combating Islamic State.
Starmer announced plans on Tuesday to deploy a warship and helicopters to the Eastern Mediterranean to defend the UK’s bases in Cyprus from attacks.
RAF Akrotiri on Monday came under attack from drones similar to Iran’s Shahed, one of which struck the runway. Several others were shot down by air defences.
Western officials said the drones were not fired from Iran but did not disclose where they originated from. The Iranian government denied involvement.
Other European countries including France, Italy and Spain are also sending naval assets to defend Cyprus from missile and drone attacks.
The UK government has refused a US request to use its military bases for attacks against Iran, triggering a diplomatic spat between the two countries.
