06 September 2010
BEIRUT: Several Western countries have intensified their travel warnings for Lebanon in light of the August border clashes with Israel and the Burj Abi Haidar incident which have increased tension in the country.
“The armed clashes that took place on the evening of August 24, 2010, reflect an increase in tension in several neighborhoods in west Beirut,” the French travel warning for Lebanon now reads. “Travel to some areas of Lebanon requires caution. We advise against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps and against all but essential travel to south of the Litani.”
It also specifically warns nationals against visiting Beirut’s southern suburbs and cites recent incidence of illegal detention of their citizens by non-government sources.
The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) similarly urges against all but essential travel to south Lebanon and revised its status to say that in light of the August 3 clashes “tensions are currently high on the Lebanese and Israeli border.”
“There is a general threat from terrorism in Lebanon. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers such as hotels and restaurants,” the FCO travel advice for Lebanon reads. “You are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance in public places.”
The Australian government is also urging its citizens: “reconsider your need to travel” and to “not travel” south of the Litani river or to northern Bekaa.
Two Polish tourists were briefly kidnapped in the Bekaa last week before being freed by Lebanese Armed Forces.
Whether or not additional warnings will be issued in response to the abductions is as yet unknown.
Canada was the first country to step up its travel warnings on August 6 this year, advising against all but essential travel to Lebanon.
“Heightened tensions throughout the region, together with increased threats globally from terrorism, put Canadians at greater risk,” the Canadian Foreign Minister, Lawrence Cannon, said in a statement.
Copyright The Daily Star 2010.
