An Irish mother says she is "very concerned" about her two teenage sons who live in Lebanon.
The boys, aged 14 and 15, are staying with their Lebanese father in the town of Saidon in the southwest of the country.
Marie Murphy, who lives in Waterford, married her now estranged Lebanese husband in Ireland 17 years ago. The couple moved to Lebanon soon after and Ms Murphy remained there until 2½ years ago. She has since unsuccessfully tried to secure the return of her sons, who hold both Irish and Lebanese passports.
Ms Murphy says that she contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday to attempt to have the boys evacuated. According to her, the honorary consul in Lebanon contacted her estranged husband by telephone, but he refused to allow the boys to leave.
"I've been told that nothing can be done, that the Irish have already left. I was crazy hearing this," Ms Murphy said.