Warden Message

May 8, 2008

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon advises U.S. citizens in Beirut that the road to the Beirut International Airport remains blocked following the May 7, 2008 demonstrations.  While the airport remains open, there are few flights arriving and departing and no western airlines are servicing Beirut today, May 8, 2008.  It is not known when the road will re-open and normal air transport services will resume.

The U.S. Embassy continues to restrict the movement of its personnel in Lebanon due to security issues.  U.S. citizens are advised to limit their own movement in Lebanon to essential trips only, and to take reasonable security precautions.  U.S. citizens are also advised 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.

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/.