From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Lebanon
Date: 12 Jan 1993 20:59:09 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Lebanon
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Lebanon - Travel Warning
 January 8, 1993

The 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 remaining American hostages have been released, the 
organizations which abducted them continue to operate within the 
country.  Due to an extremely limited staff and heightened security, 
the U.S. Embassy in Beirut cannot perform normal consular functions. 
 Additional details can be found in the Department of State's 
consular information sheet on Lebanon.

 No. 93-004

This replaces the Department of State travel advisory warning dated 
December 20, 1991.

Lebanon - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Warning:  U.S. citizens are warned against all travel to Lebanon.  
The situation in Lebanon is so dangerous that no U.S. citizen can be 
considered safe from terrorist acts.  U.S. passports are not valid 
for travel to, in or through Lebanon unless special validation has 
been obtained (see the paragraph on entry requirements for details). 
 The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is not fully staffed and personnel 
remain there under exceptionally tight security.  Because of the 
limited staff and heightened security, the Embassy cannot perform 
normal consular functions.  In addition, local telephone service is 
highly unreliable and it is extremely difficult to contact the U.S. 
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.

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

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).

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 6178.

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.

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.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are severe, 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.

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa" has useful general 
information on travel in the area.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Consular Services:  Although registration records are maintained at 
the consular section, the absence of American consular staff and the 
tight security under which the 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 U.S. Embassy can be difficult and access to 
the Consular Section is not possible unless prior arrangements have 
been made.

 No. 93-018