Warden Message

May 7, 2008
 
Labor protests in downtown Beirut in the vicinity of Parliament and other government buildings are possible on May 7, 2008.  U.S. citizens in Lebanon are advised to avoid these areas and any other locales where large crowds are present.  As always, U.S. citizens are reminded to take reasonable security precautions, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
 
The U.S. Embassy continues to restrict the travel of its personnel in Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and ongoing political deadlock in the country.  Americans in Lebanon are strongly encouraged to maintain a heightened level of awareness and to report any suspicious or unusual activity immediately to Lebanese authorities.  U.S. citizens should, as always, maintain a low profile in public.
 
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.
 
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/.

Issued May 6, 2008.