| US citizens cautioned
over travel to Lebanon WASHINGTON, April 21
(AFP) - The United States warned its citizens Thursday to "carefully weigh the
necessity of their travel" to Lebanon amid anti-American protests and fears of
attacks by militants in that country.
In issuing the travel warning, the State Department cited recent violence, including the
murder of ex-Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in February, saying they underscored the need for
"caution and sound personal security precautions.
The assassination, blamed by many on the Lebanese regime and its political masters in
Syria, sparked widespread protests that brought down the government late February.
But protests related to the killing, including against the US Embassy, had continued in
Beirut and other cities and "there remains the potential for violent clashes,"
the State Department said.
In addition, it said, four deadly late-night bombings north of Beirut occurred over the
last two months.
"Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon.
The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to
act," the department said.
It urged citizens to keep a low profile and vary times and routes while travelling in
Lebanon.
"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," it said.
Earlier this month, the department said, US Embassy officials visiting Hermel in the
northern Bekaa Valley encountered a violent protest.
Unofficial travel to Lebanon by US government employees and their family members requires
prior approval by the State Department, the travel warning said.
Citizens who travel to Lebanon despite the warning were urged to exercise heightened
caution when going to parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa
Valley and South Lebanon, and the cities of Sidon and
Tripoli.
The Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in many of these areas,
and "there is potential for action by other extremist groups in the city of
Tripoli," the statement said.
The pro-Syrian Hezbollah is the only armed group not to have laid down its weapons after
the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.
Its followers held a protest concert outside the US embassy north of Beirut Wednesday,
calling on Washington not to interfere in Lebanese affairs. |
