http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lebanon
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Wed Sep 10 2008 16:10:25 GMT-0700 (PDT).
LEBANON
September 10, 2008
This Travel Warning updates information on security threats and ongoing political violence in Lebanon and informs U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues to urge that Americans avoid all travel to Lebanon. Americans who live and work in Lebanon presently should understand that they are accepting risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks, especially those in Tripoli. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued on May 30, 2008.
Recent clashes in the northern city of Tripoli have resulted in more than twenty deaths and numerous injuries. Additionally, a bomb exploded next to a city bus in Tripoli on August 13, 2008 and killed fourteen people. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens against all travel to Lebanon, and recommends that U.S. citizens presently in Lebanon consider the risks of remaining, particularly in Tripoli in light of recent incidents there.
On May 7, 2008, Hizballah militants blocked the road to Rafiq Hariri International Airport. The action rendered the airport inaccessible and travelers were unable to enter or leave the country via commercial air carriers. Armed Hizballah and other opposition members proceeded to enter areas of Lebanon not traditionally under their control resulting in heavy fighting and a number of casualties. While there is now full access to the airport and widespread hostilities have subsided, the United States is concerned about Hizballah’s willingness to use violence to achieve political ends with little or no warning.
The threat of anti-Western terrorist activity exists in Lebanon; groups such as Al-Qaeda and Jund al-Sham are present in the country and have issued statements calling for attacks against Western interests in the past.
U.S. citizens traveling to Lebanon or resident in Lebanon should be aware that the U.S. Embassy has limited ability to reach all areas of Lebanon. The Embassy cannot guarantee that Embassy employees can render assistance to U.S. citizens in all areas of the country. Furthermore, in the event that the security climate in the country worsens, American citizens should be aware that they will bear the responsibility of arranging their own travel out of Lebanon. American citizens with special medical or other needs should be aware of the risks of remaining given their condition and be prepared to be treated in Lebanon if they cannot arrange for travel out of the country.
U.S. Government-facilitated evacuations such as took place in 2006 occur only when no safe commercial alternatives exist. Evacuation would be provided on a cost-recovery basis, which means the traveler must reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the travel. The lack of valid travel documents (U.S. passport or U.S. visa, as appropriate) will slow the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide assistance. Further information on the department’s role during emergencies is provided at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
Landmines and unexploded ordnance continually pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River, as well as in areas of the country where civil war fighting was intense. More than a dozen civilians have been killed and over 100 injured by unexploded ordnance following the armed conflict in July-August 2006. Travelers should watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present.
The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of the country. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.
The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; however, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209.
American citizens may register with the embassy online by visiting ttps://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. Americans are strongly encouraged to update their registration information if it is no longer current. Information on consular services and registration can also be found at http://lebanon.usembassy.gov or by phone at the above telephone numbers between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday local time.
Updated information on travel and security in Lebanon may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found in the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Lebanon, and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/georgia
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RECAP:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51090
“U.S. to Review Military Aid to Georgia”
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2008
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4327.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Wed Sep 10 2008 16:16:20 GMT-0700 (PDT).
GEORGIA
September 10, 2008
This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Georgia to include the risk of unexploded ordnance and the potential for an increased risk of crime. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Georgia issued August 23, 2008.
The Department of State authorized the return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi on August 23, 2008. Since Russian troops remain in some parts of the country near Poti, Zugdidi, and Senaki, as well as in the conflict zones, Embassy staff and family members may only travel outside of Tbilisi with the concurrence of the Regional Security Officer.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Georgia to exercise extreme caution while traveling in Georgia. Unexploded ordnance poses a risk in the areas where fighting has taken place, including in and around the city of Gori. American citizens should avoid unnecessary travel to those areas until they are reported cleared. American citizens are urged not to travel to the conflict zones of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
While three Embassy-coordinated convoys departed Georgia for Armenia on August 10, 11, and 14, no additional convoys are scheduled. American citizens currently in Georgia are urged to continue to review their personal security situations to take appropriate action to ensure their safety. Given the recent upheaval in Georgia, American citizens should take precautions in case of an increase in violent crime. Private American citizens are encouraged to remain in close communication with the American Embassy in Tbilisi for more detailed information.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy resumed visa services on August 27. The Peace Corps temporarily relocated trainees and volunteers to Armenia on August 11. Volunteers have not returned to Georgia, but the Peace Corps office in Tbilisi remains open for business.
American citizens in Georgia are advised to register with the Department of State on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Travel in some parts of western Georgia remains unpredictable.
American citizens should monitor the U.S. Embassy web site, http://georgia.usembassy.gov, and stay in contact with family and friends in the United States. American citizens in Tbilisi may also tune in to Radio Syndicati at FM 104.3 or throughout Georgia at Radio Green Wave at FM 107.4 for updated U.S. Embassy warden message information.
Family members and friends unable to verify the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area should call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or from other areas via a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens in the area are urged to monitor the local news. Those residing or traveling in Georgia are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi is located at 11 George Balanchine Street (in Didi Dighomi), Tbilisi 0131, Georgia, tel: 995-32-27-70-00. The after-hours emergency number is 995-99-57-39-69, or, if dialing locally on a mobile telephone, 899-57-39-69.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States 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 Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).