Major evacuation set into motion

As Israeli military forces and Hezbollah militants attack each other across the Lebanese border, civilians, including some 2300 Danes, have been caught in the crossfire.

The deteriorating security situation in the region has led Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deploy busses, ships and planes to evacuate citizens from the area.

Securing safe passage had proved a challenge said Ulrik Federspiel, the head of the Foreign Ministry. He explained that beginning on Monday morning busses would transport Danish citizens from Beirut, across the Syrian border and on to Damascus where planes would be waiting.

'We hope that it will succeed. We have been in contact with the Israeli government which promised to stop the shooting when we drive,' said Federspiel.

Other citizens will be evacuated by boat.

'We have rented a Greek ship which will sail to Cyprus for a security check. It should be in Sidon in Lebanon on Tuesday,' he said.

Danish shipping companies, as well as a French naval ship, have also provided space on their crafts.