U.S. Rescue Bogs Down in Lebanon

LATimes ^ | July 18, 2006 | Megan K. Stack

[rebel_yell2]

BEIRUT — Thousands of Americans whose vacations and business trips to Lebanon have degenerated with sickening speed into stints in a battle zone remained stranded here under Israeli bombardment Monday, their frustration and anger mounting because the U.S. government hasn't gotten them out faster.

Waiting around Beirut with bags packed and fingers crossed, U.S. citizens derided the embassy for busy phone lines, a lack of information and gnawing uncertainty over when and whether they will get out. Hundreds were expected to be shipped to Cyprus today, but how long the full evacuation will take remains uncertain.

[Echo Talon]

well, at least they are starting to evacuate, and it looks like they are going to be doing it be sea..

[rebel_yell2]

Hararetz newswire:

12:34 Australia: IDF wouldn`t halt Lebanon shelling to allow for evacuation of citizens (DPA)

WTF is the IDF up to? It is beginning to look like they don't want their Lebanese "guests" to leave town.

[ReignOfError]

It's probably just as confusing at the other end. You can bet there's more than a few bad guys slipping out under the radar.

Not nearly as many as are slipping by on car or by foot with no screening whatsoever. The problem is who gets a French/US/UK passport; the time to address it is not when the s--- hits the fan, and the way to address it is not to have junior officials screening people by how difficult it is to spell their surnames.

[weegie]

It wasnt a war zone until last week

[Jezebelle]

Pardon me? I don't believe I've had the displeasure? Perhaps you should butt out. I was simply answering leadass's usual barrage of insults everytime he sees me posting. But maybe he's so weak and lame he needs reinforcements.

[drlevy88]

Hisssssss! Spittttttttt!

[Bombard]

YA thats it, why don't all of you Americans get together in one place. While you do that some pro Iranian group will just wait for all of you gather in one place and then you will be their guests. Think for a change. Given the situation in Lebanon it is not a simple matter to get so many people out of such a hostile environment. The US government is doing things behind the scenes to get people out. Also why any American would vacation in the Middle East is beyond me. I think most of these people have family in Lebanon and in that case they are not at risk as the average tourist.

[Jezebelle]

So far the main contingents of Americans being discussed are tourists visiting relatives and students.

[mtbopfuyn]

Even with ONLY 8000 US citizens wanting to leave and the Orient Queen only taking 700 per trip... How does Christmas in Lebanon sound?

[Echo Talon]

this exit by sea doesn't look like a good idea to me.... hmmm... do you have Fox News where your at?

[xzins]

Obviously, some Americans and even some posters on Free Republic don't bother to read US State Deptmt Travel Advisories. Not checking these things gives the non-reader a sense that wherever he/she wants to go is a peaceable little paradise.

This is the advisory for Lebanon issued in JANUARY of this year. YEP...real traveler's paradise. /sarcasm

Lebanon

Americans planning travel to Lebanon should read Travel Warning for Lebanon available on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov

January 20, 2006

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of Lebanon is a parliamentary republic. Political power is concentrated in the office of the President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, each representing one of Lebanon's three largest religious sects (Maronite Christians, Sunni and Shi'a Muslims). Since 1973, Lebanon has been in a state of war with Israel. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Lebanon .

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Passports and visas are required. American citizens coming to Lebanon for tourism can purchase a short-term visa at the border. Travelers holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will likely be refused entry into Lebanon. Travelers whose passports contain Israeli stamps or visas and who also hold an "Arab nationality" may be subject to arrest and imprisonment. Travelers who have overstayed their entry visa validity in Lebanon have to adjust their status with the Central Department of Surete General (Department of Passport and Immigration) prior to their departure.

Further information on entry/exit requirements can be obtained from the Embassy of Lebanon, 2560 28th Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008, tel. (202) 939-6300. Travelers may also contact one of the following Consulates General of Lebanon:

1959 E. Jefferson, Suite 4A Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 567-0233 2400 Augusta, Suite 308 Houston, TX 77057 (713) 268-1640

7060 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 510 Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 467-1253 6600 S.W. 57th Avenue, Suite 200 Miami, FL 33143 (305) 665-3004

(Honorary Consul, for Florida residents only) 9 E. 76th Street New York, NY 10021 (212) 744-7905

Find more information about Entry and Exit Requirements pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Recent events in Lebanon underscore the need for caution and sound personal security precautions. Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005 in a car bomb attack in which 22 people were killed and many others seriously wounded; the potential for violence remains. Since February 2005, there have been 15 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in ten dead and 121 wounded.

Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act. American citizens should thus keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should also pay close attention to their personal security at locations where Westerners are generally known to congregate, and should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.

U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon should exercise heightened caution when traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon, and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed. It maintains a strong presence in many of these areas, and there is potential for action by other extremist groups in the city of Tripoli. Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time.

Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra-communal violence within the camps has resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to Al-Qaida, has targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese government but continues to maintain a presence in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.

In addition, dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant and also exist in other areas where civil war fighting was intense.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad .

Dandy place you've got here RY. It's the family friendly Disney World of the Mediterranean..

[drlevy88]

This is not a vacationer

[Echo Talon]

Im guessing that the State Dept. will rent more ships if this goes though...

[Junior]

If a Democrat were in charge, he would've magicked their butts out of there after guarranteeing Middle East (and world) peace through the harmonic convergence of "dialogue" and "appeasement." The lion would lay down with the lamb, the Arab with the Jew, and the Jordan River would turn to wine.

Instead, we have Republicans running the show...

</sarcasm>

[xzins]

See post #311

[weegie]

No problem - It was just a thought.

I would imagine that where you are is very close to the sea front and has a good (if expensive) bar.

stay lucky.

[leadpenny]

Jeze, Jeze, Jeze!

Yup, it's all a conspiracy just to p!$$ you off.

She caught us guys.

[drlevy88]

Nary a warning about Israel slapping back. Hmph.

[SwordofTruth]

The funny thing is that it isn't Hizbollah that prevents us from leaving Beirut; it is our staunchest ally.

Yeah, real funny, NOT!

[mtbopfuyn]

Once again, he and many others are there on business not vacation.