U.S. Embassy Renews Lebanon Travel Warning
Washington reiterated on Saturday the long-standing advice that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Lebanon in light of recent security incidents in the country.
“U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining in Lebanon and should carefully consider those risks. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on October 9, 2013,” the Department of State said via twitter.
“The potential for death or injury in Lebanon exists in particular due to the increasing frequency of terrorist bombing attacks throughout the country. Although there is no evidence these attacks were directed specifically at U.S. citizens at this time, there is a real possibility of 'wrong place, wrong time' harm to U.S. citizens,” the statement added.
It also stressed that “because of security concerns, unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members is strictly limited, and requires the Department of State's prior approval.”
“U.S. citizens consider avoiding areas where bombings have taken place recently. The most recent Security Messages are found at the following link:http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/secumsgs.html,” it added.
Numerous people were killed and injured in suicide bombings that targeted different areas in Lebanon.
The latest was on January 21, 2014 when a suicide car bomb exploded in Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahieh, leaving five dead and dozens wounded.
The latest security developments in Syria have been impacting the situation in Lebanon and resulting in numerous security incidents in the border regions, as well as in other parts of the country.
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