KUALA LUMPUR - All Malaysians contacted by diplomatic missions across the Middle East have been confirmed safe amid the volatile security situation in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia said Malaysians residing in Lebanon, including personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, remain safe.

“Malaysians in the region are strongly urged to remain vigilant and to stay in contact with the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission should consular assistance be required,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday, as reported by Bernama.

The ministry added that its travel advisory issued on March 5 urging Malaysians to defer travel to countries affected by the conflict remains in force.

It said the latest updates from Malaysian diplomatic missions show that no Malaysians remain stranded by air in Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar or Saudi Arabia.

“In Jordan and Syria, the remaining Malaysians departed Amman for Kuala Lumpur around 3.40am (local time) on March 16,” the statement said.

In the United Arab Emirates, only a small number of Malaysians remain on the stranded list.

Most have already secured confirmed return tickets and are expected to depart on upcoming commercial flights.

A small number are still receiving assistance in arranging suitable travel options.

In Kuwait, two Malaysians remain in the country.

One has obtained a return ticket scheduled to depart on March 31 via Madinah.

The other individual is currently exploring travel options and has sought guidance from the Malaysian Embassy in Kuwait.

The Foreign Ministry said it continues to monitor developments closely together with the National Security Council Malaysia.

Authorities are also coordinating with diplomatic missions, host governments, airlines and other stakeholders to safeguard the welfare of Malaysians in the region.

Despite continued military activity reported in parts of the Middle East over the past 48 hours, commercial aviation routes between Malaysia and several countries in the region remain operational.

“Recent mission reports confirm that the backlog of stranded Malaysian travellers across the region has largely been cleared following the reopening of commercial flight operations and sustained coordination by Malaysian diplomatic missions,” the ministry said.

Malaysian diplomatic missions across the Middle East remain operational and continue providing consular assistance to citizens.

They are also maintaining contact with registered Malaysians and advising travellers whose journeys were disrupted to use available commercial flights.

The ministry said diplomatic missions have also carried out welfare checks on Malaysians living in affected areas.

It said that after isolated incidents involving falling debris in parts of the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, missions contacted registered Malaysians and confirmed that all were safe.

In Bahrain, the Malaysian Embassy in Manama had previously provided temporary shelter for Malaysians displaced during earlier stages of the crisis.

The arrangements have since been concluded as the situation improved and residents returned to their homes.

“No Malaysians are currently being sheltered at the Embassy Chancery or at Rumah Malaysia,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry added that its operations room in Putrajaya remains active on a 24-hour basis to respond to inquiries and emergencies.