| LEBANON |
| GENESIS-SCI TRAVEL WARNINGS & ALAERTS |
May 6, 2003
This Travel Warning is being updated to alert American citizens that the Department of State has
approved the return to Lebanon of authorized adult dependents and non-emergency personnel at the
U.S. Embassy in Beirut. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued February 7, 2003.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to
Lebanon. U.S. citizens in Lebanon are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy in Beirut and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated
information on travel and security in Lebanon. See registration details below.
Tensions in the Middle East have prompted continuing public expressions of anti-U.S. rhetoric and
public sentiment. Recent events in Lebanon, such as bombings directed at U.S. franchises and the
November 2002 murder of a U.S. citizen in Sidon, underscore the need for caution and sound personal
security precautions. There have also been demonstrations and spontaneous protests, sometimes
violent, in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps, most major cities, and near the U.S. Embassy and
United Nations headquarters. Lebanon's southern border has been quieter in recent months, although
tensions remain high. Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity there could increase without warning.
In the past, Americans were the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon. The perpetrators of
many 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 limits 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 United States. Official U.S.
government travelers take extraordinary security measures when using the Beirut International Airport.
U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon despite this Warning should exercise heightened caution when
traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon,
and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed, and it maintains a strong presence
in many of these areas, and there is potential for action by other extremist groups in the city of Tripoli.
Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously
inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra communal violence within the camps has
resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian
camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to Al-Qaida, has
targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese
government but continues to maintain a presence in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
Dangers posed by landmines 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 Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. 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. Information on consular
services and registration can also be found at http://www.usembassy.gov.lb. U.S. citizens in Lebanon
are urged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
American citizens registering at the Embassy can receive updated information and warden messages via
e-mail by subscribing to join-wardenmessagebeirut@mh.databack.com. 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 telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, 544-310, 544-130,
544-140, and fax 544-209.
This Travel Warning is being updated to alert American citizens that the Department of State has
approved the return to Lebanon of authorized adult dependents and non-emergency personnel at the
U.S. Embassy in Beirut. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued February 7, 2003.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to
Lebanon. U.S. citizens in Lebanon are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy in Beirut and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated
information on travel and security in Lebanon. See registration details below.
Tensions in the Middle East have prompted continuing public expressions of anti-U.S. rhetoric and
public sentiment. Recent events in Lebanon, such as bombings directed at U.S. franchises and the
November 2002 murder of a U.S. citizen in Sidon, underscore the need for caution and sound personal
security precautions. There have also been demonstrations and spontaneous protests, sometimes
violent, in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps, most major cities, and near the U.S. Embassy and
United Nations headquarters. Lebanon's southern border has been quieter in recent months, although
tensions remain high. Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity there could increase without warning.
In the past, Americans were the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon. The perpetrators of
many 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 limits 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 United States. Official U.S.
government travelers take extraordinary security measures when using the Beirut International Airport.
U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon despite this Warning should exercise heightened caution when
traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon,
and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed, and it maintains a strong presence
in many of these areas, and there is potential for action by other extremist groups in the city of Tripoli.
Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously
inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra communal violence within the camps has
resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian
camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to Al-Qaida, has
targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese
government but continues to maintain a presence in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
Dangers posed by landmines 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 Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. 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. Information on consular
services and registration can also be found at http://www.usembassy.gov.lb. U.S. citizens in Lebanon
are urged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
American citizens registering at the Embassy can receive updated information and warden messages via
e-mail by subscribing to join-wardenmessagebeirut@mh.databack.com. 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 telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, 544-310, 544-130,
544-140, and fax 544-209.
