More than 1,000 people left Lebanon on flights booked by Canada

(Ottawa) Global Affairs Canada says it has helped more than 1,000 passengers leave Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah intensifies.

The department says a flight opened to Canadians in Lebanon on Saturday carried 126 passengers, and another on Sunday carried 139 out of the country.

The department continues to urge Canadians to flee Lebanon and says it has offered flights last week to more than 5,000 Canadians, permanent residents and immediate family members who have expressed interest in leaving.

It says the passengers it has helped include Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members, as well as nationals from countries such as the United States, Argentina and Australia, among others.

According to the ministry, more than 25,000 Canadians were registered in Lebanon as of Sunday, but Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said some 45,000 Canadians could be in the country.

The ministry says commercial flights continue to be available to various destinations, with departures in the coming days.