Warden Message

December 12, 2007

On the morning of December 12 there was a fatal explosion in the Beirut suburb of Baabda that resulted in the death of a high ranking officer of the Lebanese Armed Forces, who likely was the target of the attack. The Embassy is restricting travel of its personnel in the areas of Baabda, Yarzeh, and the Damascus Road on December 12 and possibly ensuing days. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens who live, work, or are traveling in Lebanon to consider this information when making their own travel plans.

As always, Americans should 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.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov/ where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and other Public Announcements 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, http://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.

The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are 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/.