Lebanon Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

April 29, 2002

This Travel Warning is being issued to update the security situation in Lebanon. During the recent increase in tensions in the Middle East, there have been a number of anti-U.S. demonstrations, some of them violent. Hizballah and Palestinian militants have also become more active along Lebanon's southern border. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued August 28, 2000.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Lebanon and recommends that Americans exercise caution while traveling there. During Lebanon's civil conflict from 1975 to 1990, Americans were the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon. While there have been very few such incidents in recent years, the perpetrators of these attacks are still present in Lebanon and retain the ability to act.

The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under a strict security regime. This can limit the movement of U.S. Embassy officials in certain areas of the country. This factor, plus limited staffing, prevents the Embassy from performing full consular functions and may hinder timely assistance to Americans in Lebanon. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.

American air carriers are prohibited from using Beirut International Airport (BIA) due to continuing concern about airport and aircraft security arrangements. For similar reasons, the Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) is not permitted to operate service into the U.S. However, sales of airline tickets for travel to Lebanon are permitted in the U.S., including on MEA. Official U.S. government travelers take extraordinary security measures when using the Beirut International Airport.

The Department of State keeps the security situation in Lebanon under close review and will address additional risks and take any other appropriate steps as necessary. U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon should exercise caution when traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut and portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon. Hizballah has not been disarmed and it maintains a strong presence in these areas. Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously inside refugee camps in different areas of the country; travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian camps should therefore be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to Al-Qaida, has targeted U.S. and Lebanese government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese government but continues to maintain a presence in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp. Since late March, there has been an increase in violent activities by Hizballah in Sheba Farms (in the south), and by Palestinian elements in some other areas along the Lebanon-Israeli border. There have also been demonstrations and spontaneous protests, sometimes violent, in Lebanon's camps, most major cities, and near the U.S. Embassy and United Nations headquarters.

Dangers posed by land mines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant and also exist in other areas where civil war fighting was intense. Travelers should be aware of posted mine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where mines and unexploded ordnance may be present. Security conditions in areas along the Israel-Lebanon border are subject to change. There have been isolated incidents resulting in civilian injuries, including from accidental detonation of mines and confrontations across the border with Israeli forces in the immediate area of the border demarcation.

The security situation may change rapidly, and visitors to Lebanon should monitor the news for reports of incidents that might affect their personal safety. From time to time the Embassy may temporarily suspend public services to review its security posture. In those instances, U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Embassy.

U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Lebanon are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Contact with the U.S. Embassy on specific registration requirements may take place by phone, fax, or mail. American Citizen Services inquiries are answered by phone from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours can contact the Embassy by telephone at any time. The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, P.O. Box 70-840, Beirut, Lebanon. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, 544-310, 544-130, 544-140, and fax 544-209. Additional details can be found in the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Lebanon. The Embassy web site is usembassy.gov.lb.