Warden Message

January 25, 2008

Another explosion has occurred in Beirut.  At approximately 1000 hours on January 25, 2008, a vehicle was attacked while traveling in the Chevrolet Roundabout/Furn El Chebbak area of Beirut.  Initial reports indicate that there have been fatalities.  The U.S. Embassy continues to restrict the movement of official personnel in Lebanon.  The U.S. Embassy in Beirut takes this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens of the need for vigilance regarding personal security while in Lebanon.

The Embassy remains concerned that the recent explosions in Beirut signal the continued threat of violence and civil disturbance in Lebanon.  Additionally, the potential for political violence due to the political impasse in the Presidential elections should not be ignored.  Demonstrations and protests are possible in the coming days.  U.S. citizens should avoid areas where demonstrations or protests occur.

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens who live, work, or are traveling in Lebanon to exercise responsible security practices.  Those practices should include awareness of the environment and potentially threatening events such as demonstrations or other public gatherings.   U.S. citizens should also take care that they maintain a low profile in public and avoid predictable or habitual behavior.  U.S. citizens may contact the U.S. Embassy for updated security information and to report unusual or suspicious occurrences.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are by appointment, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  However, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the Embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209.  Website:  http://lebanon.usembassy.gov.  The Arabic language website is: http://arabic.lebanon.usembassy.gov/ .

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Lebanon, and Travel Alerts, including the Travel Alert for Lebanon, can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).