KUALA LUMPUR: All 23 registered Malaysians in Lebanon have been reported safe, says the Foreign Ministry.
In a statement, Wisma Putra also advised Malaysians to defer travel to Lebanon due to the volatile situation in the country following the attacks in Beirut and increased cross-border clashes in southern Lebanon.
It said the Malaysian Embassy in Beirut is closely monitoring recent developments in Lebanon.
"The safety and welfare of Malaysians residing in Lebanon remain the ministry's utmost priority.
"The Embassy of Malaysia in Beirut has been in contact with Malaysians in Lebanon. According to the Embassy's records, there are 23 Malaysians registered with the Embassy, and all have been reported safe.
"As a precautionary measure, the ministry advises all Malaysians living in Lebanon to remain vigilant and prioritise their safety and security. They may also consider relocating to safer areas or voluntarily returning to Malaysia if they feel their safety is at risk," it said.
It added that the embassy is in constant communication with the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-11, who are serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), to ensure the safety of the peacekeepers.
Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the embassy at +961 7677 2527, +961 7138 0063, or via email at mwbeirut@kln.gov.my.