Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/lebanon.tvl

Text File | 1994-04-11 | 9KB | 165 lines

#CARD:Lebanon:Travel\Consular Information
Lebanon - Travel Warning
August 31, 1993

The United States Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel
to Lebanon.  The situation in Lebanon is so dangerous that no U.S. citizen
can be considered safe from terrorist acts.  While all of the known American
hostages have been released, the organizations which abducted them continue
to operate within the country.  U.S. passports are not valid for travel to,
in or through Lebanon unless special validation has been obtained.  Due to
an extremely limited staff and heightened security, the U.S. Embassy in
Beirut cannot perform normal consular functions.  In addition, local
telephone service is highly unreliable and it is extremely difficult to
contact the Embassy by phone or to place a local call from most of the
country.

Additional details can be found in the Department of State's Consular
Information Sheet for Lebanon.

No.93-033

This replaces the Department of State Travel Warning for Lebanon issued
January 8, 1993, to include information on U.S. passport restrictions for
travel to Lebanon, and to add information on telephone service in Lebanon.

Lebanon - Consular Information Sheet
August 31, 1993

Warning:  The United States Department of State warns all U.S citizens
against travel to Lebanon.  The situation in Lebanon is so dangerous that no
U.S. citizen can be considered safe from terrorist acts.  While all of the
known American hostages have been released, the organizations which abducted
them continue to operate within the country.  U.S. passports are not valid
for travel to, in or through Lebanon unless special validation has been
obtained.  Due to an extremely limited staff and heightened security, the
U.S. Embassy in Beirut cannot perform normal consular functions.  In
addition, local telephone service is highly unreliable and it is extremely
difficult to contact the Embassy by phone or to place a local call from most
of the country.

Intermediate Stops in Beirut:  Several international air carriers are now
making intermediate stops in Beirut.  U.S. citizens are advised not to board
such flights because of the danger of traveling to or transiting Lebanon.
Such stops are not always announced.  Travelers should therefore inquire,
before making travel arrangements in the region, whether a flight will make
a stop in Beirut.  U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through
Lebanon, which includes landing at the Beirut airport, unless specifically
endorsed by the Secretary of State.

Country Description:  The Republic of Lebanon is a parliamentary republic.
The country is emerging from a long period of civil war which has damaged
the economy and the social fabric.  The population is composed of both
Christians and Muslims from a variety of sects.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Without the
requisite validation, use of a U.S. passport for travel to, in or through
Lebanon may constitute a violation of U. S. law and may be punishable by a
fine and/or imprisonment.

The categories of individuals eligible for consideration for a special
passport validation are set forth in 22 C.F.R. 51.74.  Passport validation
requests for Lebanon should be forwarded in writing to the following address:

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services
U.S. Department of State
1425 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20522-1705
Attn:  Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal Assistance (Room 300)
Telephone [phone] or 326-6182.

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation according to the
category under which validation is sought.  Currently, the four categories
of persons specified in 22 C.F.R. 51.74 as being eligible for consideration
for passport validation are as follows:

[a]  Professional reporters:  Includes full-time members of the reporting or
writing staff of a newspaper, magazine or broadcasting network whose purpose
for travel is to gather information about Lebanon for dissemination to the
general public.

[b]  American Red Cross:  Applicant establishes that he or she is a
representative of the American Red Cross or International Red Cross
traveling pursuant to an officially sponsored Red Cross mission.

[c]  Humanitarian considerations:  Applicant must establish that his or her
trip is justified by compelling humanitarian considerations or for family
unification.  At this time, "compelling humanitarian considerations" include
situations where the applicant can document that an immediate family member
is critically ill in Lebanon.  Documentation concerning family illness must
include the name and address of the relative, and be from that relative's
physician attesting to the nature and gravity of the illness.  "Family
unification" situations may include cases in which spouses or minor children
are residing in Lebanon, with and dependent on, a Lebanese national spouse
or parent for their support.

[d]  National interest:  The applicant's request is otherwise found to be in
the national interest.

In all requests for passport validation for travel to Lebanon, the name,
date and place of birth for all concerned persons must be given, as well as
the U.S. passport numbers.  Documentation as outlined above should accompany
all requests.  Additional information may be obtained by writing to the
above address or by calling the Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal
Assistance at [202] 326-6168 or 326-6182.

Areas of Instability:  Although all known Western hostages have been
released, the organizations that abducted them continue to operate within
the country.  The issues that ignited the civil war have not been completely
resolved.  Syrian troops are present in a large area of the country.
Militias still have the capability to operate within Lebanon.  Israel has
established a "security zone" in southern Lebanon, and hostilities occur in
the area without warning.  The Lebanese populace is armed, and incidents of
violence can occur at any time.

Dual Nationality:  U.S. consular protection - when available - is severely
limited for dual nationals traveling on a foreign passport.

Medical Facilities:  In Beirut and the surrounding areas, basic modern
medical care and medicines are widely available.  Such facilities are not
always available in outlying areas.  Doctors and hospitals often expect
immediate cash payment for services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with
specific overseas coverage has proved useful.  The international travelers
hotline at the Centers for Disease Control, telephone [phone], has
additional useful health information.

Information on Crime:  While the crime rate in Lebanon is moderate, the
incidence of both car thefts and house break-ins is on the increase.  The
loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to
local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  Useful information
on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A
Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North
Africa."  They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices
of the country in which they travel.  Penalties for possession, use or
trafficking in illegal drugs are severe in Lebanon, and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and fines.  Individuals charged with drug offenses
are not usually releasable on bail and can expect to remain in jail while
judicial authorities prepare their cases for prosecution.

Consular Services:  Although registration records are maintained at the
consular section, the tight security under which the U.S. embassy operates
mean that assistance is available only in cases of extreme emergency such as
arrest or death.  The Consular Section is not able to replace lost, stolen
or expired passports.  Because of unreliable telephone service in Lebanon,
contacting the Embassy can be difficult.  Access to the Consular Section is
not possible unless prior arrangements have been made.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in Antelias, P.O. Box 70-840,
Beirut, Lebanon.  The telephone number is (961-1) 417-774, 415-802, 415-803,
402-184, 402-200, 403-300.

No.93-219

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 8, 1993 to update
the U.S. Embassy telephone number and to include information on reporting a
lost or stolen U.S. passport abroad.

#ENDCARD