Australia urges evacuation of diplomats' families from Middle East

CANBERRA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Wednesday night urged the families of diplomats in the Middle East to evacuate due to the unpredictable security situation.

In updates posted through its Smartraveller service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the government has directed the departure of dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel and Lebanon.

It said that Australians in Israel and Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial options are still available.

Separately, DFAT said that the government has offered voluntary departures to dependents of diplomats posted in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The warnings were issued amid a major deployment of U.S. military forces in the Middle East ahead of nuclear talks with Iran.