Approximately 1600 U.S. citizens have been transported out of Lebanon since the air strikes began.  The initial process of getting U.S. citizens out of Lebanon was slow, uncoordinated and required each citizen to pay the cost of commercial transportation. 

Americans have been warned repeatedly by the State Department that it is not safe to travel through Lebanon.  With these warnings, the State Department issued a statement that it would not provide no-cost transportation out of the country. I support this policy and feel that the government should be reimbursed $300 from each citizen that was transported out of harm's way. 

Despite this policy, on July 18, the State Department issued a report stating, "In this extraordinary case, Secretary Rice has directed the State Department to waive the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the United States Government for their travel costs.  We want to do everything we can to facilitate the departure of American citizens from Lebanon."

The State Department's top priority is the welfare and security of U.S. citizens.  The U.S. embassy in Beirut advised Americans in Lebanon that it did not anticipate any ship departures after the July 28 departure to Cyprus.  Most Americans who planned to leave have already done so.  Those who have chosen to stay in Lebanon are encouraged by the State Department to leave, but they will now be responsible for their own travel arrangements.