Avoid Lebanon

The Department of State continues to urge avoiding all travel to Lebanon. US citizens have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past, and the threat continues. 

While Lebanon enjoys periods of relative calm, public demonstrations occur frequently and may become violent. Demonstrators sometimes block the primary road between Beirut and Rafiq Hariri International Airport. Access to borders and seaports also can be interrupted with no warning.

On Aug. 24 a disagreement over a parking space in the Burj Abi Haidar neighborhood of Beirut escalated into a gun battle, with three killed. On Aug. 3 an exchange of gunfire between Lebanese and Israeli forces near Aadeisseh resulted in four deaths.

Rocket attacks from southern Lebanon into Israel continue to occur, most recently in October 2009. These frequently provoke a military response from Israel.

Land mines and unexploded ordnance pose dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River. Travel by US citizens to Palestinian camps should be avoided.