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God Bless Those who Protect our Liberty
Past, Present and Future.
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Posted on 10/06/2003 8:50:04 AM PDT by blam
US suspends official travel to Lebanon
October 06 2003 at 02:48PM
Washington - The United States on Monday barred diplomats from official travel to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and overland access to neighbouring Syria due to uncertain security conditions after Israel's strike in Damascus.
The American embassy in Beirut said the restrictions, which include a ban on travel to Lebanon's southern border with Israel, would remain in place until at least Thursday pending a review of security conditions in the area.
"Due to October 5 events in Syria, the US embassy in Beirut has suspended for 72 hours official travel to the Bekaa Valley, including land crossings to Syria, and to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of operations in Lebanon, while we re-evaluate the security situation," it said.
UNIFIL was set up in March 1978 to accompany a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, which did not happen until May 2000.
The embassy notice, a copy of which was provided to AFP in Washington by the state department, did not elaborate on any specific new security concerns.
But it was issued amid heightened regional tension and outrage over Israel's attack on Sunday on a suspected Palestinian militant camp in Damascus that has prompted a Syrian call for the United Nations to condemn the operation.
The US has not joined in the outcry but has urged restraint by both Syria and Israel which launched the attack in retaliation for a suicide bombing in Haifa that was claimed by Islamic Jihad.
Washington, which brands Syria a "state sponsor of terrorism," has also said Damascus is "on the wrong side" in the international anti-terror war.
In Syria, the US embassy issued a notice to Americans on Sunday advising them to keep a low profile, limit outside activities and avoid any demonstrations.
"Americans are reminded that demonstrations in many parts of the world may have an anti-American character," it said. - Sapa-AFP
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God Bless Those who Protect our Liberty
Past, Present and Future.
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Even if they don't, they've scared the living crap outta them--and I'm just fine with that.
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