Seal of the Department of State

DIPLOMATIC  TIMES  STAFF

The U.S. issued a louder call for Americans to depart Lebanon in an updated travel advisory Saturday following reports of the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike.  On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said it was tracking “significant explosions” reported that evening in the Dahieh area of southern Beirut. The Department of State urged U.S. citizens not to travel to Lebanon and to depart the country while commercial options still remain available.  In an updated advisory, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-mission-employed eligible family members (EFMs) and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs and non-essential U.S. direct hire (USDH) employees due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Beirut. 

“Due to the increased volatility following airstrikes within Beirut and the volatile and unpredictable security situation throughout Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available. At this time, commercial flights are available, but at reduced capacity. If the security situation worsens, commercial options to depart may become unavailable,” the State Department said in the travel advisory.  The Department also advised those who choose to remain in Lebanon, to be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate further.  The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart those areas immediately.