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ASSISTED DEPARTURE OF AMERICANS FROM LEBANON |
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LATEST UPDATE
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Based on current planning, we believe that American citizens who have arrived in Cyprus as of July 21 from Lebanon choosing to depart on U.S contracted onward flights will be able to do so within 48 hours. We anticipate that those arriving on or after July 22 will depart on onward chartered flights within 48 -72 hours. The option of commercial flights is also available.
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IMPORTANT
- U.S. is doing everything possible to assist citizens who wish to leave Lebanon.
- 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.
- In Lebanon, listen to radio frequency 105.5 FM for announcements from U.S. Embassy.
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JULY 24, 2006 - 23:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)
Status Report
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Secretary Rice at Larnaca Airport, on her way back from the Lebanese capital |
As of 1600 EDT July 24, approximately 12,600 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16. About 1,000 have departed today, while about 2,100 American citizens departed Beirut late yesterday (on the USS Trenton and USS Nashville). We anticipate up to 1300 Americans will depart Beirut tomorrow by ship.
- Orient Queen arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus today with approximately 1,000 American citizens.
- USS Trenton arrived in Mersin, Turkey, today with about 1,600 American citizens aboard.
- USS Nashville arrived in Larnaca, Cyprus with approximately 500 American citizens.
Approximately 1,900 American citizens will arrive in the United States today.
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 charter flights will terminate at Baltimore, Philadelphia and Manchester.
- 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 continues to decline. 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, the State Department has waived the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the U.S. Government 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.
Photo gallery of Secretary Rice's stop at Larnaca Airport on the way back from Lebanon, July 24, 2006
Photo gallery of Ambassador Ronald Schlicher briefed by Assistant Army Attache Scott Miller at the Embassy Control Room, July 24, 2006
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Secretary Rice met with Foreign Minister Lillikas
and Ambassador Schlicher at Larnaca Airport |
For Immediate Release
JULY 24, 2006 - 16:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)
SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE AT LARNACA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Foreign Minister George Lillikas met Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her arrival at the Larnaca International Airport. The Secretary of State took the opportunity to express the gratitude of the United States for the remarkable cooperation in the assisted departure efforts. The two governments will remain in close touch on issues related to the situation in Lebanon and Israel.
Photo gallery of Secretary Rice's arrival at Larnaca International Airport
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JULY 23, 2006 - 23:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)
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People waiting to check in at Larnaca airport, on their way back to the U.S. |
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USS Whidbey Island arrived in Limassol, July 23, bringing more than 800 Americans to safety |
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.
- 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.
Photo gallery of the departure of Americans from Larnaca airport on July 23, 2006
Photos from the arrival of the Orient Queen and USS Whidbey Island to Limassol on July 23, 2006 |
SEE OUR ARCHIVE FOR PREVIOUS SITUATION REPORTS, PHOTO GALLERIES AND NEWS |
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Humanitarian Assistance to the Lebanese People
Today, Secretary of State Rice authorized $30 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to victims of the conflict in Lebanon. We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and this response to the appeal from the United Nations and other organizations will help address some of the most pressing needs of conflict victims. (complete text) |
Secretary Rice's Remarks En Route to the Middle East
Secretary Rice: Good afternoon. We are headed first to the Middle East, to Israel. The purpose of this trip is obviously to address the ongoing situation in Lebanon and the separate situation that is going on in Gaza. So I will meet not just with the Israelis concerning the situation in Lebanon, but of course I will go and see Abu Mazen in Ramallah as well. (complete text) |
U.S. Seeks Solution to Conflict
United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks at a Security Council meeting at U.N. Headquarters in New York, Friday, July 21, regarding the situation in the Middle East. Bolton called for a "sustained solution" to the conflict between Israel and Hizballah during talk show appearances on Sunday, July 23. (complete text) |
U.S. Embassy Urges Departing Americans to Proceed Directly to Dbayeh Processing Center
Media Notice: Released by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
The U.S. Embassy believes that most American citizens who wished to depart Lebanon with U.S. government assistance have already departed. Accordingly, the U.S. Embassy is urging Americans who wish to depart Lebanon with U.S. Government assistance to do so now. Travelers should proceed directly to the Dbayeh Processing Center without waiting for a call from the U.S. Embassy. American citizens should not delay further. (complete text) |
Secretary Rice: Ultimate Goal: Lasting Peace in the Middle East
  
Secretary Rice (July 21): "We are working tirelessly to help ease the plight of all innocent people who are suffering from violence: Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian." (complete text) |
Every American Who Wants to Depart will be Helped
Media Notice: Released by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
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)
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EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Information about the assisted departure:
+1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.)
+1-202-501-4444 (from outside the U.S.)
General Enquiries (U.S. Embassy Nicosia, Cyprus):
+(357)-22-393939
Press Enquiries: +(357)-24-824944 or +(357)-24-846746
Email: uspresscy@yahoo.com
U.S. Embassy Beirut: +961-4-542-600
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Secretary Rice arrives in Larnaca en route to Beirut |
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Secretary Rice is greeted by Foreign Minister Lillikas |
Secretary Rice with Ambassador Schlicher and Foreign Minister Lillikas |
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Secretary Rice with Brigadier General Jensen |
Left to Right: Defense Attache Colonel Mooney, Foreign Minister Lillikas and Ambassador Schlicher |
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The Secretary of State took the opportunity to thank Cyprus for its extraordinary assistance to the American people
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OTHER PHOTO GALLERIES
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- Photo gallery of Secretary Rice's stop at Larnaca Airport on her way back from Lebanon, July 24, 2006 new
- Photo gallery of Ambassador Ronald Schlicher briefed by Assistant Army Attache Scott Miller at the Embassy Control Room, July 24, 2006 new
- Photo gallery of Ambassador Schlicher and Foreign Minister Lillikas visiting the Cyprus International Fairgrounds, July 23, 2006
- Photo gallery of the departure of Americans from Larnaca airport on July 23, 2006
- Photos from the arrival of the Orient Queen and USS Whidbey Island to Limassol on July 23, 2006
- Photo gallery of Ambassador Schlicher's visit to Paphos airport on July 22, 2006
- Photo gallery of the arrival of the Orient Queen in Limassol port July 21, 2006
- Photo gallery of Ambassador Schlicher's visit to the Cyprus International Fairgrounds in Nicosia, on July 20, 2006
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