WASHINGTON, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States ordered five warships on Tuesday to help evacuate tens of thousands Americans from Lebanon, the U.S. Navy said.

    The Navy said in a statement that U.S. sailors and marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been directed to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon.

    The warships, including three amphibious ship, a helicopter carrier and a dock landing ship, have been in the Red Sea for exercises and were ordered to the waters off Lebanon. They were expected to be in position later this week.

    About 2,200 marines are aboard the vessels, which include the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS Nashville and USS Whidbey Island, and the USS Trenton and High Speed Vessel Swift 2.

    Some 25,000 U.S. nationals were estimated to be in Lebanon, where attacks by Israeli forces have left more than 200 dead. Enditem

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