The
US Department of State continues to urge US citizens to avoid all travel
to Lebanon due to current safety and security
concerns. Those living and working in
Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining there and should
carefully
consider those risks.
The
potential in Lebanon for a spontaneous upsurge in violence remains.
Lebanese government authorities are not able to guarantee
protection for citizens or visitors to the
country should violence erupt suddenly. Access to borders, airports, and
seaports
can be interrupted with little or no warning.
Public demonstrations occur frequently with little warning and have the
potential
to become violent. Family or neighborhood
disputes often escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other
violence with little
or no warning. The ability of US government
personnel to reach travelers or provide emergency services may be
severely limited.
A
number of extremist groups operate in Lebanon, including some, such as
Hizballah, that the US government has designated
as terrorist organizations. US citizens have
been the target of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past,
and the
threat of anti-Western terrorist activity
continues to exist in Lebanon.
The
ongoing unrest in Syria has also resulted in numerous security
incidents in the border regions between Lebanon and Syria,
both in the north and in the Bekaa. On April 9,
2012, a journalist reporting from the Lebanese border was killed by
gunfire
originating from Syria. The potential for border
violence remains.
Hizballah
and other para-military groups have at times detained US citizens or
other foreigners for interrogation – sometimes
for hours or longer. Kidnapping, whether for
ransom or political motives, remains a problem in Lebanon. Suspects in
kidnappings
sometimes have been found to have ties to
terrorist or criminal organizations.
On
March 23, 2011, seven Estonian bicyclists were kidnapped in Deir
Zenoun, between Masnaa and Zahle in the Bekaa Valley.
The kidnapping was planned and well-coordinated,
according to Lebanese authorities. The Estonians were ultimately
released
on July 14, 2011.
For the full text of the Department's travel warning, see:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5710
