Lebanon: Foreign Office advises against all travel
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release (LEBANON) issued by The Government
News Network on 14 July 2006
The Foreign Office revised its travel advice for Lebanon following the recent
Israeli air attacks on sites throughout Lebanon.
The relevant points in the summary now read:
"Following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers on the border between
Israel and Lebanon on 12 July 2006, and the subsequent Israeli strikes on
sites across Lebanon, we are advising against all travel to the country.
"Beirut airport is currently closed following Israeli airstrikes. There is
also a naval blockade of all ports and the main Beirut-Damascus highway
is closed. If you are currently in Lebanon you should stay put for the time
being, exercise caution, keep in touch with the Embassy and heed local advice.
We are keeping the situation under close review but you should get ready
for departure at short notice if the situation changes, including by having
travel documents in order. We will post further information on this website
as we get it."
The previous advice read:
Following the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers on the border between
Israel and Lebanon on 12 July 2006, and the subsequent Israeli strikes on
sites across Lebanon, we are advising against all but essential travel to
the country. We also advise against all travel to areas of southern Lebanon
south of a line between Tyre and Marjayoun. Both runways of Beirut airport
are currently closed as a result of Israeli airstrikes.
"If you are currently in Lebanon you should exercise caution, keep in touch
with the Embassy and heed local advice. We are keeping the situation under
close review."
Full details of the revised travel advice for Lebanon are available on the
Foreign Office website www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
FCO Travel Advice can also be obtained on the following telephone number:
0845 850 2829.
FCO Travel Advice is kept under constant review. This advice is based on
our latest assessment of the situation in Lebanon.
