The first Qantas flight is scheduled to leave Cyprus on Monday night Cyprus time, arriving in Sydney on Tuesday.

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The second flight is expected to leave Cyprus on Wednesday, with the time yet to be confirmed.

Operation of the charter flights is subject to the airport in Beirut remaining open and other operational constraints.

The flights will be free of charge for eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with a right of entry to Australia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The government has said vulnerable people will be prioritised.

Fiona McKergow, Australia’s high commissioner to Cyprus, said many of the citizens were relieved to have landed safely.

“We realise it’s a very stressful time for Australians and their families in Lebanon and we’ve been working to assist those wanting to leave, to depart Lebanon,” she said.

“And we’ve been working very closely and welcome the cooperation we’ve had from the Republic of Cyprus, from the Cypriot government, to facilitate, to get those Australians home safely.”

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