In Lebanon, listen to radio frequency 105.5 FM for announcements from the U.S. Embassy.

AUGUST 2, 2006 - 1700 Local Time (GMT+0200)

The last U.S. Government-chartered flight for assisted departees from Lebanon who held a valid U.S. passport or immigrant/non-immigrant visa departed from Larnaca Airport on August 2 at 3:45 a.m.

More information and photo gallery

ASK THE AMBASSADOR:
U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Ronald Schlicher, hosted a special online web discussion on the departure of Americans from Lebanon.

View Transcript

The Department of State advises Americans that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara have completed their mutual efforts to assist Americans to depart Lebanon via Cyprus and Turkey on U.S. government-chartered vessels and aircraft for return to the United States. The sustained endeavors of these offices, working with several U.S. military units, helped approximately 15,000 Americans depart Lebanon from July 16 through August 2, 2006.

The Department of State further advises that assistance to those Americans who remain in Lebanon will now be provided as circumstances permit and according to long-standing consular procedures. Specifically, all persons seeking entry into the United States must possess a valid U.S. passport or a valid U.S. visa. U.S. Citizens will be transported out of Lebanon free of charge (on USG chartered transport) to a designated safe haven point (currently Cyprus), after which they will be asked to make their own onward travel arrangements.

Repatriation and other financial assistance will now be provided in accordance with standard procedures.Due to heightened security measures and limited staff, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut is providing only emergency consular services. Embassy staff will provide guidance to Americans who remain in Lebanon on changing security conditions and the availability of commercial transport departing Lebanon as they develop.

Those Americans who remain in Lebanon despite the Department of State’s travel warning should keep their registration up-to-date.

• The Department’s on-line registration service is: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
• Information on visa services for applicants in Lebanon is available at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions_2997.html
• The Department of State refers Americans to our travel warning for Lebanon available at https://travel.state.gov and reminds Americans that the Bureau of Consular Affairs can be reached at 1-202-501-4444 (if calling from overseas) or at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the United States and Canada.

From July 19 until today over 8,000 Americans were provided food, medical care and shelter at the International Fairgrounds in Nicosia. The Embassy team, in coordination with CENTCOM’s Task Force 59, built an entire infrastructure from scratch in 24 hours, providing more than 6,000 blankets; 7,000 sheets; 6,600 towels and 4,500 pillows; 1900 cots in addition to the 500 provided by the Cypriot National Guard; two 6-person shower units; 50 wheelchairs; 20 portable fans; 36,000 meals' worth of Meals Ready to Eat, and more than 1,100 health and comfort kits. We also installed phone lines, a DSL Internet line, a wireless network for those who had laptops, as well as a registration service on Google that allows individuals to track family members. We distributed more than 7,000 phone cards so that our American guests could call their loved ones in the U.S. to let them know they had arrived safely and to coordinate onward travel.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton says the deaths of dozens of civilians in Qana, Lebanon, July 30 were "tragic" and cites the need for a "lasting solution" to the crisis in the region. The United States joined other members of the U.N. Security Council in expressing "extreme shock and distress" over the deaths in Qana, and calling for an end to the violence. (complete text)

Secretary Rice (July 31): "Based on what we have accomplished, and the urgency of the situation, we will call for the United Nations Security Council action this week on a comprehensive settlement that includes three parts: a cease-fire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement, and the authorization of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace. We are working simultaneously on all three tracks so that a cease-fire can be supported by the deployment of an international stabilization force as soon as possible after Security Council action."  (complete text)

Statement: Suspension of Aerial Activity
Briefing: Efforts To Stop Violence in Lebanon
Briefing: En route to Shannon, Ireland