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Ammon News - Several countries are ramping up efforts to evacuate their nationals from Lebanon and urging those remaining to leave amid the escalating situation as Israel wages a ground offensive in the south of the country.

Here’s a look at what some countries have done:

United States: Dozens of US troops have been deployed to Cyprus in preparation for a range of contingencies including evacuating US citizens from Lebanon should a full-blown war erupt, US officials told CNN.

United Kingdom: In preparation for a possible evacuation of UK nationals from Lebanon, about 700 extra troops have been deployed to Cyprus, where the British military already has several hundred military personnel stationed at two bases.

France: A French army spokesperson said Tuesday a helicopter carrier will arrive in the eastern Mediterranean in case Paris decides to evacuate its nationals from Lebanon, Reuters reported.

Australia: An additional 500 seats have been secured for Australians, permanent residents and their family members on commercial flights departing Saturday for Cyprus, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Thursday, after seats on several flights were organized earlier this week. An Australian Defence Force aircraft has been positioned in Cyprus to aid with contingency arrangements.

China: More than 200 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Lebanon, including about 80 people on a ship that arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. More than 140 Chinese citizens and their families were on a chartered flight that arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, Xinhua added.

Canada: Ottawa announced earlier this week it had secured an additional 800 seats on commercial flights leaving Lebanon for Canadians and their families.

CNN