UK clears rescue flights from Lebanon with Israel.

The Press Association have just announced (8:38 AM BST) that 40 people, mostly made up of children, families with young children and people with long-term illness have been evacuated from Lebanon to Cyprus.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We made use of the helicopters bringing in the Foreign Office's rapid deployment team and a military team planning the main evacuation into the capital on Sunday from Cyprus" He added: "It is not feasible to fly the helicopters back and forth between Cyprus and Beirut." As the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut fuelstores and systems have been destroyed by the regular bombing by the IAF, flights are restricted by lack of access to fuel supplies in Lebanon.

The BBC 4 News at 9.00 confirmed the flights, which had been cleared through direct channels with "the Israelis" which was normal for Consular evacuations. A curious convention whereby the UK Gubment seek the approval to fly to and from the soveriegn territory of Lebanon and their airspace by clearing it through another nation.

British warships are on the way and the French have rented a cruise ship to help in evacuation of French nationals from Lebanon.

Ynet report that a rally of 1,000 protestors on Sunday protested about the the IAF strikes in Southern Lebanon. Marching from Hen Boulevard toward King George Street, They chanted as "Olmert agreed with Bush: War and occupation." "Stop the war monstrosity," and "Say no to the brutal bombardments on Gaza." They also accused Defense Minister Amir Peretz of murdering children in Gaza, and recited: "Peretz, don't worry, we'll be seeing you at The Hague."

Meanwhile the BBC also report that the voice mail is full at the UK Embassy in Beirut.