U.S. Embassy Continues to Help Americans Depart Lebanon: More than 7,000 Americans on Their Way Home Now

Media Notice
Released by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon

The U.S. Embassy, with support from the Department of State and the Department of Defense, helped over 3000 persons depart Lebanon on July 21, 2006. Approximately 900 Americans departed aboard a commercial vessel early this morning. This brings the number of people transported out of Lebanon by the United States to over 7,000 since Sunday, July 16, 2006. The U.S. Government has mobilized the resources to facilitate the speedy and safe departure of American citizens currently in Lebanon in even greater numbers over the next several days. These assets include chartered commercial ships, U.S. military aircraft and U.S. military ships.

These assisted departures will continue on Saturday, July 22. Those Americans that are traveling should proceed directly to the departure processing center at Dbayeh Bridge in Beirut. Processing will take place at the Mobile Forces Barracks (Marina Khoury) facing the water station pump near Dbayeh Port. As large numbers of people are likely to gather at the departure processing center, Americans should be prepared for an extended wait. They should bring supplies of food and water and wear comfortable shoes and protection from the sun. Departure processing will take place each day until no longer necessary.

Americans wishing to depart with the assistance of the U.S. Government should bring their U.S. passport, money, credit cards, and any other essential documents. Non-Americans traveling with an American immediate relative (spouse, child or parent) must have a valid passport and a valid U.S. visa or green card, if their final destination is the United States. Lebanese accompanying American citizens should also bring their Lebanese national ID, particularly if they have acquired a new U.S. passport during their stay in Lebanon. They will need to show their Lebanese ID to the Lebanese immigration authorities in order to obtain an exit stamp in their passport.

Each person should bring only one small carry-on, maximum weight 15 kg. In that bag, travelers should bring a change of clothes for 2-3 days, essential medication, glasses/contact lenses, toiletries, water and snack food. If bringing children, it is advisable to bring along one toy for each child, diapers and formula as appropriate, etc. No pets will be allowed.

The initial screening will involve verification of American citizenship and eligibility for travel. To ensure security and that of other travelers, a security screening will also be conducted. Travelers departing via commercial ship will be taken from the processing center by bus to the port. Before boarding the ship, all passengers will pass through Lebanese immigration procedures at the port.

Most travelers will be transported to Cyprus. Some will be taken to Mersin, Turkey. In both cases, travelers will be met by U.S. consular officers who will assist in moving people to staging sites for preparation for onward travel to the U.S. There will be U.S. Government-chartered aircraft to the east coast of the United States from both Cyprus and Turkey. Once in the U.S., travelers will be able to make onward arrangements to return home.

Americans wishing to depart Lebanon should monitor the local radio -- 105.5 FM -- and the U.S. Embassy Beirut internet website, http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/ for the latest on assistance in departing Lebanon.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has directed the State Department to waive the normal requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the Department of State for their travel costs to the first port of entry in the U.S. The U.S. Embassy with support from the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense will do everything possible to facilitate the departure of American citizens from Lebanon.

The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. For more information about the departure phone the Department of State at 1-202-501-4444 from overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada.