Warden Message

May 10, 2008

As stated in the current Travel Warning for Lebanon, the Department of State continues to strongly urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. 

In a crisis situation, American citizens are responsible for arranging commercial or private means of transportation to depart Lebanon.  American citizens wishing to depart Lebanon are urged to do so, keeping in mind that options are currently limited.   

Major roads to Beirut International Airport remain blocked, and there is only limited airline service at present.  Violent clashes in several areas in and around Beirut have been reported, and it is still not known when the airport road will re-open and normal air transport services will resume.  The main road to Damascus remains blocked. 

American citizens wanting to depart may wish to consider chartering private watercraft to Cyprus.  Until such time as travel services out of Lebanon become available, the U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to ensure they have an adequate supply of food, water and other essential items and to remain safely inside their homes.  Americans are encouraged to review their travel plans following resumption of normal air services.

The U.S. Embassy remains open for business; however, Nonimmigrant Visa processing has been suspended except under special circumstances.  American Citizen Services and Immigrant Visa processing are functioning normally.  American citizens are urged to avoid the airport road and any other areas where demonstrators are gathered, and to monitor the local media for information regarding the security situation. 

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 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).

Americans living or traveling in Lebanon are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Lebanon.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Americans who are already registered are urged to update their registration information.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Lebanon.  Public access hours for American citizens are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. American citizens may e-mail BeirutACS@state.gov if they have questions about services provided by the section; they may also call 04 543 600 and ask for the American Citizen Services Section on Mondays or Fridays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Any American citizen in need of 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/.