Army receives tractor trailers, spare parts from US

Sep. 26, 2018 | 08:08 PM

The Daily Star

The Lebanese Army Wednesday received eight tractor trailers and spare parts from the United States, in the presence of a number of Army officers and U.S. Embassy staff.

House Votes to Sanction Iran’s Terror Arm

Press Release 09.25.18

Media Contact 202-225-5021

Washington, D.C. – Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement on House passage of the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018 (S. 1595):

"Hezbollah's fighters continue butchering civilians for Assad in Syria, while amassing missiles along Israel's northern border. Just last week, Hezbollah's leader bragged about having precision missile capabilities. Today's bill will build on existing sanctions against Hezbollah by targeting its global fundraising and recruiting, as well as those who provide it weapons. This legislation is the product of months of bicameral, bipartisan work, and I hope the Senate will take it up quickly."

NOTE: Chairman Royce is the author of companion legislation (H.R. 3329) that passed the House last year. The Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act builds on Chairman Royce's 2015 Hezbollah sanctions law by further restricting Hezbollah's ability to fundraise and recruit; increasing pressure on banks that do business with Hezbollah; and cracking down on foreign states – including Iran – that support Hezbollah.

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United States Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray Visits Lebanon

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 21 September, 2018

Today, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited Lebanon to reaffirm the U.S. government's commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership. Director Wray, accompanied by Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard, met with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, among other senior Lebanese officials. They discussed issues relating to the close law enforcement and security cooperation between the United States and Lebanon.

Lebanon is a key partner on law enforcement, including the fight against terrorism and the preservation of cultural heritage through preventing antiquities trafficking. Director Wray's visit highlights the importance that the United States places on its relationship with Lebanon, and our continued commitment to the security of both the United States and Lebanon.

Lieutenant General Michael Garrett’s Visit to Lebanon

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 19 September, 2018, the Commander of United States Army Central, Lieutenant General Michael Garrett, met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun, and visited the Air Assault Regiment, to discuss Lebanon's integration of 32 U.S.-provided Bradley Fighting Vehicles into its forces. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is the most advanced combat system in Lebanon. The U.S. government is committed to the Lebanese-American partnership and support of the Lebanese Armed Forces in their capacity as the sole defender of Lebanon.

Lebanon Travel Advisory September 4 2018

Reconsider travel Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, and armed conflict. Please read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• the border with Syria due to terrorism and armed conflict
• the border with Israel due to the potential for armed conflict
• refugee settlements due to the potential for armed conflict

U.S. citizens should reconsider or avoid travel to certain areas in Lebanon because of the threats of terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, and outbreaks of violence, especially near Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel. U.S. citizens living and working in Lebanon should be aware of the risks of remaining in the country and should carefully consider those risks.

U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Lebanon should be aware that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy are not always able to travel to assist them. The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. The internal security policies of the U.S. Embassy may be adjusted at any time and without advance notice.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon. The potential exists for death or injury in Lebanon because of the attacks and bombings perpetrated by terrorist groups. Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence. Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with no warning. Armed clashes have occurred along the Lebanese borders, in Beirut, and in refugee settlements. The Lebanese Armed Forces have been brought in to quell the violence in these situations.

Public demonstrations can occur with little warning and could become violent. You should avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings. Protesters have blocked major roads to gain publicity for their causes, including the primary road to the U.S. Embassy, and the primary road between downtown Beirut and Rafiq Hariri International Airport. Access to the airport may be cut off if the security situation deteriorates.

Kidnapping, whether for ransom, political motives, or family disputes, has occurred in Lebanon. Suspects in kidnappings may have ties to terrorist or criminal organizations.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Lebanon:

• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the 2018 Crime and Safety Report for Lebanon.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist.

Border with Syria

Since August 2014, deadly terror attacks have occurred in border towns along Lebanon's border with Syria, as have episodic clashes between the Lebanese Army and Syrian-based violent extremist groups. A 2017 Lebanese Army offensive expelled ISIS militants from territory along Lebanon's border with Syria. The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanese-Syrian border region. The U.S. Department of State also warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling on flights that fly over Syria, which include some flights to Beirut.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Border with Israel

There have been sporadic rocket attacks from southern Lebanon into Israel in connection with the violence between Israel and Hizballah: the last reported incident was in 2014. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid this border area.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas

Refugee Settlements

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to refugee settlements, where violence has resulted in shootings and explosions.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas