U.S. Embassy Plan to Transport American Citizens from Lebanon

July 17, 2006

The U.S. Embassy is finalizing details to assist American citizens who wish to leave Lebanon. Americans who wish to leave should ready themselves immediately and await further instructions. Americans who wish to depart Lebanon should prepare important travel documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificates, and other civil documents such as marriage and birth certificates. Each traveler will each be allowed one suitcase only-not to exceed 15 kilos (30 pounds). Pets will not be allowed to travel. Further instructions will be disseminated via the media, the Embassy warden system and the U.S. Embassy website: http://lebanon.usembassy.gov

Two U.S. helicopters arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar at 16:00 today, July 17, bringing additional staff to assist with the American citizen departure, including U.S. Department of State consular officers. The helicopters took out of Lebanon a number of Americans with urgent medical needs, children to be re-united with their parents, and elderly family members.

The U.S. Department of State continues to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure that the departure of American citizens is safe and carried out in an orderly fashion. The U.S. Embassy is particularly concerned about American citizens in the south and is working through the Warden System to reach them.

The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans who have not yet registered to phone the Department of State at 202-501-4444 from overeas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. Embassy reaffirms the firm, enduring and non-negotiable commitment of the United States to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.