Saturday 22 July 2006 was the last scheduled evacuation of Entitled Personnel from Lebanon and UK forces were not required to pick up any entitle personnel on Sunday 23 July.
Moving to the use of civilian vessels will continue to reduce the military footprint and enable Royal Navy ships to return to their planned programme. But a military presence will nevertheless remain in support, with the Royal Navy continuing to maintain an over-the-horizon presence to provide support if required.
The UK wishes to see a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the crisis in the Middle East – its only other interest is the safety of UK nationals caught up in the conflict.
Yesterday, Monday 24 July 2006, the UK government committed a further £2.2 million to the Lebanon humanitarian relief effort, bringing the total UK contribution to £5 million, including the UK contribution to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
The Royal Navy received numerous e-mails of thanks from those rescued in Beirut, and others from individuals complementing the Royal Navy’s efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean. One of those who e-mailed the Royal Navy, Joe, wrote:
"My eight-month old son was stuck in Lebanon. The Royal Navy allowed me to travel from Cyprus on HMS York, to transfer by helicopter to HMS Bulwark and arrive in Beirut to pick up my son and to then be evacuated with other individuals. Everyone I met was professional, concerned and helpful.
"The logistics behind the operation was awesome. We have our son safely back in the UK. We would like to thank everyone involved. We cannot thank the Royal Navy enough for, not just what they did to help us, but the way that they did it. Kind regards."
Another of those who emailed the Royal Navy, Razzaq, wrote:
"May God's grace shine upon all of our armed forces. I am a proud British Muslim that is able to smile at the sight of the Royal Navy's arrival into Lebanon bringing hope to so many desperate lives. It's so good to see the protection of the Royal Navy bringing smiles to children’s faces after they have endured such terrible ordeals. God Bless you all."
Overall, the extraction of British and other nationals from Lebanon has been a very successful operation but also a particularly challenging logistical exercise involving land, sea and air assets.