US downgrades travel warning for Lebanon
The U.S. State Department has downgraded its travel warning for Lebanon from the “Do Not Travel” category to the “Reconsider Travel” category.
Some parts of the country -- south Lebanon, the Syrian border and refugee settlements -- however remained under the “Do Not Travel” category.
“U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and review their personal security plans. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid travel to southern Lebanon, the Syrian border, and refugee settlements in Lebanon,” the updated advisory said.
“The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid southern Lebanon; that is, all parts south of the city of Saida (Sidon) … Cross-border rocket, missile, and artillery fire continues to impact southern Lebanon on a daily basis and has caused a significant number of fatalities and injuries,” the advisory adds, referring to the daily clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.
The U.S. State Department had hiked the travel advisory for Lebanon to “Do Not Travel” -- the highest level -- on October 17, around 10 days after the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and amid anti-U.S. protests near the U.S. embassy in Awkar. Several Western and Arab embassies had issued similar warnings.
Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, the Lebanese-Israeli border has witnessed a daily exchange of fire between Israel's army and Hezbollah. More than 200 people have been killed in south Lebanon, over 150 of them belonging to Hezbollah.
According to Israeli authorities, 15 Israelis have been killed in the northern border area, including nine soldiers and six civilians.
The fighting has also displaced tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border and Israel has warned that it is ready to use military force to return its settlers to their homes.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/303119 |