They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 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. Services now include passport issuance for first-time applicants, passport renewals, lost passport replacement, completion of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, notarials and assistance to recipients of Federal benefits. Because of the tight security under which the U.S. Embassy operates, these services are provided by appointment only.
Restrictions continue on the movement of American personnel for security reasons.
Assistance in emergency cases such as arrest or death may not, therefore, always be provided in a timely manner. Because of unreliable telephone service in Lebanon, contacting the U.S. Embassy can occasionally be difficult. Americans are advised to register with the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. However, since personal access to the Consular Section is not possible unless prior arrangements have been made, visitors should forward by fax or by mail their travel itineraries, contact numbers, and copies of the information pages of their passports. The U.S. Embassy is located in Antelias, P.O. Box 70-840, Beirut, Lebanon.