State Department Logo    
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Embassy of the United States of America Nicosia Cyprus

 

 

 
The Embassy U.S. Citizen Services U.S. Visas Econ/Commercial Study in the U.S.A. U.S. Policy   Home
   

DAILY ARCHIVE
ASSISTED DEPARTURE OF AMERICANS FROM LEBANON

LATEST UPDATE
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.
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.

ASK THE AMBASSADOR:
Departure from Lebanon
U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Ronald Schlicher, hosts a special online web discussion.

Ask A Question Now
U.S. Embassy Nicosia arranged for
performances by magicians and clowns to
keep the children occupied during their stay
at the Fairgrounds
U.S. Citizens depart Cyprus International Fairgounds in Nicosia

 

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; 4,000 sheets; thousands of towels and pillows; 1800 cots in addition to the 500 provided by the Cypriot National Guard; two 6-person shower units; scores of wheelchairs; 20 portable fans; 36,000 meals' worth of Meals Ready to Eat, and 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.

Read more on this story and view the photo gallery
JULY 27, 2006 - 2100 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Humanitarian Assistance

 

The United States will contribute $30 million in response to  international appeals for humanitarian aid for Lebanon from the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. More than $11.7 million has been provided so far.

 

To date, the U.S. Government has provided approximately $8 million to support the U.N. Flash Appeal for Lebanon and an additional $3.4 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The United States Government will program additional assistance to other relief agencies based on upcoming humanitarian assessments.

 

More on U.S. Aid to Lebanon

JULY 27, 2006 - 2100 Local Time (GMT+0200)

 

Assisted Departures

 

American officers assisted families with children
during airport procedures

The United States is using all available means to ensure safe and orderly passage of American citizens out of Lebanon to Cyprus and Turkey, including U.S. military ships, chartered commercial ships and U.S. military helicopters.  From Cyprus and Turkey, the U.S. Government is transporting American citizens to the United States via commercial charter and military aircraft.

 

As of 14:00 EDT July 27, approximately 14,345 American citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16.  Today, four Americans departed Beirut via helicopter. The Orient Queen is scheduled to take passengers out of Beirut tomorrow.

 

Approximately 9,163 American citizens have arrived safely in the United States via U.S. government chartered flights.

  • Delta Airlines has shown private sector leadership by transporting U.S. citizens from Larnaca, Cyprus to Atlanta, Georgia.
  • U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) has been supporting the Department of State airlift efforts by arranging commercial charter aircraft and military aircraft. 

We will continue to have the capability to transport Americans out of Beirut via ship and helicopter. 

 

The United States assisted approximately 173 Americans in departing southern Lebanon from the port of Tyre on the Canadian charter Princess Marissa yesterday. A small number of American citizens have also departed the port of Tyre on other vessels.

 

In addition to those departing from Tyre, the Embassy has assisted several hundred American citizens who travelled primarily by bus from southern Lebanon to Beirut.

 

The last scheduled ship departure was Wednesday, July 26th.  Future departures will be on an emergency, case-by-case basis, and the U.S. Embassy will retain the capability to facilitate such departures.

 

Embassy Beirut continues urging American citizens to contact the embassy if they wish to leave.  We are aware that there is still an undetermined number of Americans at locations in southern Lebanon.  We remain concerned about the welfare of all American citizens in Lebanon and will continue to facilitate their departure and return to the United States.

  • The Embassy is able to advise Americans in southern Lebanon on a case-by-case basis, depending upon their specific location and circumstances, such as access to telephones.
  • American citizens in southern Lebanon who require U.S. government assistance in departing Lebanon should seek to initiate and remain in contact with the U.S. Embassy for further guidance. Family members in the United States may contact the Department of State if they have information on their specific location.
  • We urge anyone with information on American citizens remaining in southern Lebanon to contact Embassy Beirut or the Task Force in Washington, DC. We continue to advise Americans in Lebanon to monitor the local radio and the U.S. Embassy Beirut website for the latest on assistance in departing Lebanon.

 

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. 

 

 
Secretary Rice met with Foreign Minister Lillikas and Ambassador Schlicher at Larnaca Airport

SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE AT LARNACA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - July 24, 2006
Press Release

SEE OUR ARCHIVE FOR PREVIOUS SITUATION REPORTS, PHOTO GALLERIES AND NEWS

More News
Asian Meeting Addresses Middle East

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends a regional security conference in Malaysia with, from left, Thai Foreign Minister Khantathi Suphamongkhon, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer Thursday, July 27. In a joint statement issued at the conference, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their dialogue partners urge all parties to work toward a just, durable, comprehensive peace in the Middle East. (complete text)
Bush Welcomes Progress Achieved at Rome Conference on Lebanon

Washington – President Bush expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the July 26 Rome conference of the Lebanon Core Group, saying it laid the groundwork for further diplomatic action. (complete text)
World Leaders Seek End to Violence

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Rome, Wednesday, July 26, where senior officials from the United States, Europe and several Arab nations agreed on the urgent need for a sustainable end to the conflict between Israel and Hizballah in southern Lebanon. Rice reiterated the U.S. commitment to humanitarian assistance to those affected by the fighting. (complete text)

Humanitarian Assistance to the Lebanese People

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)

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

U.S. Embassy Beirut: +961-4-542-600

 

PHOTO GALLERIES