The United States Embassy in Beirut issued a stark warning to American citizens living in Lebanon on Monday, advising them to leave the country as soon as possible. In a statement, the Embassy emphasized the importance of departing immediately, citing the commercial airport’s continued operation and available flight options from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The Embassy noted that since September 27, the US government has increased the number of seats on commercial flights to accommodate American citizens and their family members, but warned that this extra capacity is not indefinite. “Much of this capacity has gone unused, and we urge citizens to take advantage of these options while they are still available,” the statement said.
For those choosing not to depart at this time, the Embassy advised that they should prepare contingency plans for potential future evacuations. However, the statement clarified that these alternative plans should not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation.
The warning comes amid escalating tensions in the region, following a series of missile attacks by Iranian-backed Hezbollah on highly populated civilian areas in Israel, including the city of Tel Aviv. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of American citizens in Lebanon, prompting the Embassy’s urgent warning to leave the country. The Embassy emphasized the need for citizens to take proactive steps to ensure their safety, while also acknowledging that the US government cannot guarantee evacuation assistance in the event of a deteriorating situation.
