press releases 2008 

U.S. Embassy’s Message to American Citizens

March 6, 2008

The political impasse in Lebanon continues.  International and domestic efforts to resolve the impasse have not yet succeeded.  The uncertain political situation, the presence of extremist groups in Lebanon, and the series of car bombings over the past few months continue to concern the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.  The Embassy has maintained travel limits over its personnel.

Since February 28, there has been coverage in the Lebanese media of the presence of U.S. Navy vessels in international waters of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.  U.S. Navy ships in the Mediterranean are there in support of our commitment to regional stability. 

There is a general concern that extremist groups may be planning to attack U.S. citizens and interests in Lebanon. 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, 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).