Supplemental Info:
U.S. EMBASSY BEIRUT
SECURITY ALERT
OCTOBER 27, 2023
Event: The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens in Lebanon leave now, while commercial flights remain available, due to the unpredictable security situation. Please see available flight options at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport .
You should have a plan of action for crisis situations that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. The best time to leave a country is before a crisis if at all possible. U.S. military-assisted evacuations of civilians from a foreign country are rare. There is no guarantee the U.S. government will evacuate private U.S. citizens and their family members in a crisis situation. In the event that a U.S. military-assisted evacuation does occur, our focus will be on helping U.S. citizens. The U.S. government generally cannot provide in-country transportation during a crisis. That includes transportation to points of departure. You will not be able to bring pets with you on any U.S. military-assisted evacuation from Lebanon. You will have to sign a promissory note to reimburse the U.S. government for costs incurred in the case of an assisted evacuation. For more information, please read What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis.
Embassy Beirut’s Consular Section is open for emergency U.S. citizen services, including passport services, on a walk-in basis between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is currently only issuing emergency passports, which are valid for one year. Emergency passports can be replaced with full-validity passports in the United States or at U.S. embassies and consulates outside of Lebanon..
U.S. citizens who need emergency assistance should complete our crisis intake form or contact the U.S. Embassy in Beirut at +961-4-543-600 (Lebanon local) or +1-833-890-9595 (toll free). Do not fill out the form if you have already completed it – we have your information, and duplicate requests delay our response.
Because we are exclusively providing U.S. citizen services at this time, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut has suspended all visa processing. Should you need a nonimmigrant visa, you may apply at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Should you wish to request transfer of your immigrant visa case to another U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad , please contact the embassy or consulate where you desire to have your case processed.
On October 17, we updated the Travel Advisory for Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel – the full text of the Travel Advisory may be found here .
Actions To Take:
Depart Lebanon now, while commercial flights are still available.
Have plans to depart that do not rely on the U.S. government.
Review your personal security plans.
Keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency.
Exercise caution, monitor the news closely for breaking developments that could affect internal security, and factor updated information into your travel plans and activities.
Have a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy in Beirut – Lebanon
Awkar – Facing the Municipality
Main Street Beirut, Lebanon
961-4- 543 600
BeirutACS@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
1-833-890-9595 (toll free) and 606-641-0131 (local)
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
View the Original:
https://lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-october-27-2023/
