public annoucements and warden messages

Lebanon Situation Update #2

August 2, 2006

The Department of State advises Americans that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara have completed their mutual efforts to assist Americans to depart Lebanon via Cyprus and Turkey on U.S. government-chartered vessels and aircraft for return to the United States. The sustained endeavors of these offices, working with several U.S. military units, helped approximately 15,000 Americans depart Lebanon from July 16 through August 2, 2006.

The Department of State further advises that assistance to those Americans who remain in Lebanon will now be provided as circumstances permit and according to long-standing consular procedures. Specifically, all persons seeking entry into the United States must possess a valid U.S. passport or a valid U.S. visa. U.S. Citizens will be transported out of Lebanon free of charge (on USG chartered transport) to a designated safe haven point (currently Cyprus), after which they will be asked to make their own onward travel arrangements. Repatriation and other financial assistance will now be provided in accordance with standard procedures.

Due to heightened security measures and limited staff, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut is providing only emergency consular services. Embassy staff will provide guidance to Americans who remain in Lebanon on changing security conditions and the availability of commercial transport departing Lebanon as they develop.

Those Americans who remain in Lebanon despite the Department of State’s travel warning should keep their registration up-to-date. The Department’s on-line registration service is: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.

Information on visa services for applicants in Lebanon is available at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions_2997.html.

The Department of State refers Americans to our travel warning for Lebanon available at https://travel.state.gov and reminds Americans that the Bureau of Consular Affairs can be reached at 1-202-501-4444 (if calling from overseas) or at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the United States and Canada.