Travel Warning: Lebanon

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Lebanon on September 17, 2012.  It reads as follows:

Lebanon

September 17, 2012

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon because of current safety and security concerns. U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on May 8, 2012, to emphasize information on security, kidnappings, and an upsurge in violence in Lebanon and the region.

The potential in Lebanon for a spontaneous upsurge in violence remains. Lebanese government authorities are not able to guarantee protection for citizens or visitors to the country should violence erupt suddenly. Access to borders, airports, roads, and seaports can be interrupted with little or no warning. Public demonstrations occur frequently with little warning and have the potential to become violent. Family or neighborhood disputes often escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with little or no warning. The ability of U.S. government personnel to reach travelers or provide emergency services may be severely limited. 

President Obama, Secretary Clinton Commemorate the Benghazi Four

 

Travel Warning: Libya

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Libya on September 12.  It reads as follows:

Libya

September 12, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya.  On September 12, 2012 the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Libya, following the attack on the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Benghazi.  The political violence has increased in both Benghazi and Tripoli.  The airports in Benghazi and Tripoli are open and U.S. citizens are encouraged to depart by commercial air.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated August 27, 2012.

U.S. citizens traveling to, or remaining in, Libya should use extreme caution and limit nonessential travel within the country, make their own contingency emergency plans, enroll their presence in Libya through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and provide their current contact information and next-of-kin or emergency contact information.

Travel Warning: Sudan

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Sudan on September 7.  It reads as follows:

Sudan

September 15, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Sudan, urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Darfur region of Sudan, the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States, and advises you to consider carefully the risks of travel in other areas of Sudan.  On September 15, 2012, the Department of State ordered the departure of all dependents of U.S. direct hire personnel and all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Sudan, following the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum.  This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning issued on September 7, 2012.

While the Government of Sudan has taken some steps to limit the activities of terrorist groups, elements of these groups remain in Sudan and have threatened to attack Western interests. The terrorist threat level throughout Sudan, and particularly in the Darfur region, remains critical, and the U.S. Embassy has implemented enhanced security measures to protect U.S. government personnel assigned to Sudan. These measures include requiring U.S. government personnel to travel in armored government vehicles for official business, and to obtain advance permission for travel outside of Khartoum. In addition, family members under age 21 of U.S. Embassy personnel are not allowed to reside in Sudan.

Travel Warning: Tunisia

Consular Affairs issued a Travel Warning for Tunisia on September 15.  It reads as follows:

Tunisia

September 15, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Tunisia at this time.  On September 14, 2012 the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Tunisia, following the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.  The airport in Tunis is open and U.S. citizens are encouraged to depart by commercial air.

U.S. citizens remaining in Tunisia should use extreme caution and avoid demonstrations, make their own contingency emergency plans, enroll their presence in Tunisia through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and provide their current contact information and next-of-kin or emergency contact information.

The Embassy is located in the Les Berges du Lac suburb of Tunis.  The Embassy telephone number is 216 71 107 000 and the Embassy fax number is 216 71 963 263.  The Consular section can also be contacted by email at ConsularTunis@state.gov.