IMPORTANT

• U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon are urged to register with the U.S. embassy online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by fax at +961 4 544 209 or +961 4 544 037.

• We urge all American citizens who want help during the assisted departure process -- or who need to register with the Embassy -- to register with the U.S. Embassy by phone at 202-501-4444 from overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada. Messages regarding the evacuation are also being posted on http://travel.state.gov

• Buses will be provided to transport U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon to ships for departure.

JULY 23, 2006 - 23:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Status Report

As of 3:00 EDT July 23, approximately 11,260 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16. Today, approximately 2,200 American citizens departed Cyprus en route to the United States. Approximately 1,600 American citizens departed Beirut today and 2,800 are scheduled to depart on July 24.

• USS Whidbey Island arrived in Limassol, July 23, bringing more than 800 passengers to safety

  Orient Queen arrived in Limassol, Cyprus, July 23, and has disembarked 1,036 passengers who will proceed by bus to the Nicosia Fairgrounds.
• USS Whidbey Island arrived in Limassol, Cyprus, July 23, and disembarked 817 passengers.
• USS Trenton departed Beirut today carrying 1,612 American citizens.

We will continue to transport Americans using all resources available.

• Delta Airlines has shown private sector leadership by transporting U.S. citizens from Larnaca, Cyprus to Atlanta, Georgia. U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) will support the Department of State airlift efforts. TRANSCOM will arrange commercial charter aircraft and military aircraft to transport American citizens from Cyprus and Turkey to the United States. Commercial flights will terminate at Baltimore and Philadelphia.
• Military flights will depart from Cyprus, transit through Ramstein Air Force Base, and terminate at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

The number of Americans requesting departure from Beirut is declining. Embassy Beirut is urging American citizens in television and radio appearances to come for processing quickly if they wish to leave.

In this extraordinary case, Secretary Rice has asked the State Department to waive the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the State Department for travel costs.

The State Department is working with our partners in the Department of Defense, the private sector, and our friends and allies around the world to assist transporting Americans in the safest manner possible.

What to do if you are in Lebanon or have loved ones in Lebanon?

• U.S. is doing everything possible to assist citizens who wish to leave Lebanon. 

• Information is available from the Department of State by calling: 202-501-4444 (outside U.S.) and 1-888-407-4747 (inside U.S.).  

• Embassy Beirut has issued a press release urging Americans who wish to leave to do so now: http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/. 

• U.S. Embassy in Beirut phone numbers: (961) 4 542600 – 543600 

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

More pictures from the arrival of the Orient Queen and USS Whidbey Island to Limassol on July 23, 2006

Ambassador Schlicher and Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas at the International Fairgrounds. The Minister toured the facilities, met with new arrivals and with American staff, and offered continued support.

JULY 23, 2006 - 14:30 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Thousands of Evacuees Rest at the Cyprus International Fair

Cyprus has offered its International Fair facilities in Nicosia to the U.S. as a way-station for Americans arriving from Lebanon. New arrivals are given beds, food, medical attention and toiletries.

Thousands of Americans have moved through the Fair over the past four days, with about 2,000 persons per day coming and going from the facility. The majority will travel to the United States on military aircraft or U.S. Government-chartered flights, while others wait for family members or commercial flights. The average time from arrival at the Fair to departure for a charter flight is less than twenty-four hours.

U.S. Embassy and military personnel are staffing the facility, aided by volunteers from Cyprus, Lebanon, and elsewhere. “While everyone is tired, the spirit of cooperation has been fantastic,” one Embassy official said. “Many people who arrived and rested yesterday morning were helping new arrivals check-in last night.” Travel agents, a children’s play area, and a restaurant, are also available.

Photo gallery of Ambassador Schlicher and Cyprus Foreign Minister George Lillikas touring the Cyprus International Fair Grounds

JULY 22, 2006 - 23:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Status Report

Food and supplies were prepared for American citizens arriving on the Orient Queen

As of 1600 EDT July 22, approximately 10,000 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16.

• Orient Queen is expected in Limassol, Cyprus at 01:00, July 23, but due to port scheduling, it will not offload until approximately 07:00.

• The Rahmah, a Saudi-owned, Panamanian-flagged, passenger vessel carrying 642 Americans and 121 Canadians has reached Limassol, Cyprus, and began unloading at 19:15 local time. Passengers will be transported via bus to Nicosia Fairgrounds.

• USS Whidbey Island is be transporting passengers from Beirut to Cyprus.

• The USS Nashville has departed Lebanon carrying approximately 1000 passengers, most of whom are American.

• About 2,000 people have returned to the United States. Another 500 are anticipated to arrive late today to early tomorrow, July 23.

• We will continue to transport Americans using all resources available.

• Delta Airlines has shown private sector leadership by transporting U.S. citizens from Larnaca, Cyprus to Atlanta, Georgia at the nominal cost of $1.

• The U.S. Air Force Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) will support the Department of State airlift efforts.

• TRANSCOM will arrange commercial charter aircraft and military aircraft to transport American citizens from Cyprus and Turkey to the United States. Commercial flights will terminate at BWI and PHL.

• Eight military flights will depart from Cyprus, transit through Ramstein Air Force Base, and terminate at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

With these assets, we anticipate increasing the daily outflow of American citizens. We estimate that up to 1,815 people will depart Beirut today.

In this extraordinary case, Secretary Rice has directed the State Department to waive the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the State Department for travel costs.

The State Department is working with partners in the Department of Defense, the private sector, and friends and allies around the world to assist transporting Americans in the safest manner possible.

JULY 22, 2006 - 17:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Status Report

• International press crews covered the departure of Americans at Paphos airport

  As of 1 p.m., July 21 the U.S. Press Center and the team onsite have worked together to facilitate roughly 25 interviews from approximately 10 different outlets - from U.S., wire, and international press.

  As of 1000 EDT July 22, approximately 7,500 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16.

• On July 21, over 1800 people departed Beirut on the USS Trenton. An additional 95 citizens were transported to Cyprus by U.S. Military helicopters.

• The MS Ramah, a Saudi-owned, Panamanian-flagged, passenger vessel carrying 642 Americans and 121 Canadians departed Beirut around 0400 Beirut time. It was en route to Turkey but faced engine problems and has been diverted to Cyprus instead. Expected to arrive at 02:00 local time, July 23.

• The USS Nashville has departed Lebanon carrying approximately 1000 passengers, most of whom are American.

• The USS Trenton has transported over 1800 people to Cyprus.

• The Orient Queen and USS Whidbey Island will be transporting passengers from Beirut beginning today, July 22.

• Orient Queen destination is Cyprus, expected to arrive late hours July 22 or early hours of July 23.

• About 1000 people have returned to the United States. Another 1500 are anticipated to arrive tomorrow, July 23.

• We will continue to transport Americans using all resources available.

• We are now establishing operations at Mersin, Turkey to serve as an additional transportation hub to serve a greater number of American citizens.

• The U.S. Air Force Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) will support the Department of State airlift efforts. TRANSCOM will arrange commercial charter aircraft and military aircraft to transport American citizens from Cyprus and Turkey to the United States. Commercial flights will terminate at BWI and PHL.

• Eight military flights will depart from Cyprus, transit through Ramstein Air Force Base, and terminate at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

• With these assets, we anticipate increasing the daily outflow of American citizens. We estimate that up to 1,600 people will depart Beirut today.

• In this extraordinary case, Secretary Rice has directed the State Department to waive the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the State Department for travel costs.

Photo gallery of Americans departing from Paphos airport on July 22, 2006

Special Briefing With Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty and Department of Defence Deputy Director for Regional Operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Barbero (complete text)

The U.S. Government is using all resources possible to facilitate the speedy and safe departure of American citizens currently in Lebanon using every means available. The departure of every single American citizen who wishes to leave Lebanon is the first priority for the U.S. Government. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence are ensuring that all available military, civilian, and private sector resources in the region are being directed to accomplish this goal. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has made possible the departure of over 1,500 American citizens via helicopter and cruise ship in the past four days. Urgent medical need cases are still the first priority. (complete text)

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton addressed journalists in New York after a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on Thursday, July 20. The United States is "looking for a solution that will fundamentally change the reality in the region and spare the peoples of Israel and Lebanon, in particular, from the threat of terrorism," Bolton said. (complete text)