Media Notice
For Immediate Release  

U.S. Embassy Announces Last Scheduled Ship Departure for

American Citizens Who Wish to Depart Lebanon

The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens in Lebanon that the last scheduled ship departure from Lebanon will be on Wednesday, July 26.  The Embassy believes that most American citizens who wished to depart Lebanon with U.S. Government assistance have now done so.  All Americans who wish to depart Lebanon and who are able to do so are strongly urged to do so.  They should proceed directly to the Dbayeh Processing Center.  Processing will begin on July 26 at 9:00 am.  Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy.  Further delay is not advisable.  Future assisted departures will be on an emergency case-by-case basis and such departures may not be immediate.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is in contact with some American citizens in South Lebanon who have had difficulty in getting to Beirut.  These citizens should remain in contact with the U.S. Embassy for further guidance.  Family members in the United States of these individuals may contact the Department of State if they have information on their specific location.

The Dbayeh Processing Center is accessed via the Dbayeh Bridge in Beirut.  Processing will take place at the Mobile Forces Barracks (Marina Khoury) facing the water station pump near Dbayeh Port.  Travelers should be prepared for a wait; they should bring supplies of food and water and wear comfortable shoes and protection from the sun.

Americans wishing to depart with the assistance of the U.S. Government should bring their U.S. passport, money, credit cards, and any other essential documents.  Non-Americans traveling with an American immediate relative (spouse, child or parent) must have a valid passport and a valid U.S. visa or green card, if their final destination is the United States.  Those Lebanese-Americans who have a Lebanese national ID must bring this ID with them, particularly if they have acquired a new U.S. passport during their stay in Lebanon.  They will need to show their Lebanese ID to the Lebanese immigration authorities in order to obtain an exit stamp in their passport. 

Each person may bring only one small carry-on, maximum weight 15 kg.  In that bag, travelers should bring a change of clothes for 2-3 days, essential medication, glasses/contact lenses, toiletries, water and snack food.  If bringing children, it is advisable to bring along one toy for each child, diapers and formula as appropriate, etc.  No pets will be allowed.

The initial screening will involve verification of American citizenship and eligibility for travel.  To ensure the security of travelers, a security screening will also be conducted.  Travelers departing via commercial ship will be taken from the processing center by bus to the port.  Before boarding the ship, all passengers will pass through Lebanese immigration procedures at the port.
 
Travelers transported by the U.S. government will go to Cyprus.  Travelers will be met by U.S. consular officers who will assist in moving people to staging sites for preparation for onward travel to the U.S.   There will be U.S. Government-chartered aircraft to the east coast of the United States.  Once in the U.S., travelers will be able to make onward arrangements to return home.

For the latest on assistance in departing Lebanon, Americans should monitor the local radio - 105.5 FM - and the U.S. Embassy Beirut internet website.  http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has directed the State Department to waive the normal requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon on U.S. Government transport to reimburse the Department of State for their travel costs to the first port of entry in the U.S.  The U.S. Embassy, with support from the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense, will do everything possible to facilitate the departure of American citizens from Lebanon.

The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.  For more information about departures, phone the Department of State at 1-202-501-4444 from overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez, U.S. House of Representatives  2367 Rayburn Building Washington, DC 20515  (202) 225-8203 (202) 225-7810 Fax 3455 W. North Avenue Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 384-1655 (773) 384-1685 Fax 1310 W. 18th Street Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 666-3882 (312) 666-3894 Fax

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