US sends dozens of troops to Cyprus to prepare contingencies: CNN

The US has sent dozens of troops to Cyprus amid the ongoing escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, two officials told CNN.

The troops are being sent to prepare for a range of possibilities, according to the report, including the evacuation of Americans out of Lebanon should "a full-blown war erupt".

The Pentagon announced earlier this week that a small number of troops would be deployed to the Middle East, without providing further details.

The UK also announced it would be deploying troops to Cyprus, and called on its citizens to leave Lebanon.