U.S. Reminds Citizens of Travel Warning to Lebanon over Security Fears
The U.S. Department of State reiterated on Tuesday to its citizens the travel warning advisory to Lebanon over safety and security concerns.
“In light of recent escalating sectarian clashes within Lebanon and spillover violence from Syria... We urge all U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon because of safety and security concerns,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
The Embassy said that U.S. citizens currently in Lebanon “should understand that they accept the risks,” noting that it has a “limited ability to reach all areas in the country.”
“The Embassy cannot guarantee that its employees will be able to render assistance to U.S. citizens in all areas of the country... They will be responsible for arranging their own travel out of Lebanon,” the statement stated.
It warned the U.S. citizens that they “should be aware that the embassy doesn't offer protection services to individuals who feel unsafe.”
In April, the Department of State issued the first travel warning over the potential spontaneous upsurge in violence as the Lebanese government is not able to guarantee protection for citizens or visitors to the country if violence erupts.
The Embassy urged the U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Lebanon to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.
Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir engaged in a two-day battle with the Lebanese army on Sunday, killing sixteen troops, among them two officers.
Virtually unknown until two years ago, Asir has capitalized on Sunni resentment against the Hizbullah's intervention alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces against the mainly Sunni rebels.
According to the army, the clashes erupted after Asir supporters attacked a checkpoint "for no reason".
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