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DAILY ARCHIVE
ASSISTED DEPARTURE OF AMERICANS FROM LEBANON

 

LATEST UPDATE
IMPORTANT

In Lebanon, listen to radio frequency 105.5 FM for announcements from the U.S. Embassy.

AUGUST 2, 2006 - 1700 Local Time (GMT+0200)

 

The last U.S. Government-chartered flight for assisted departees from Lebanon who held a valid U.S. passport or immigrant/non-immigrant visa departed from Larnaca Airport on August 2 at 3:45 a.m.

 

More information and photo gallery

ASK THE AMBASSADOR:
 U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Ronald Schlicher, hosted a special online web discussion on the departure of Americans from Lebanon.

View Transcript

AUGUST 1, 2006 - 1830 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Humanitarian Assistance

On July 24, Secretary Rice committed to provide up to $30 million in response to humanitarian operations in Lebanon, up to $20 million of which will come from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA). As of July 30, the DART has received proposals from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Mercy Corps and anticipates that proposals from IMC and World Vision will arrive soon. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace will likely contribute $1 million to support WFP. On July 25, the U.S. Military airlifted to Beirut two health kits, each of which contains medicines, intravenous fluids, reusable equipment, and other medical supplies to treat 10,000 people for three months. A third kit arrived in Beirut on July 26. USAID is moving an additional seven emergency health kits, 1,000 tarps and 20,000 blankets from Cyprus to Lebanon. The supplies will be distributed to NGOs working in the area.


Public Donation Information | More on U.S. Aid to Lebanon

AUGUST 1, 2006 - 1830 Local Time (GMT+0200)

 

Assisted Departures

 

As of 1130 EDT August 1, over 14,700 American citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16.  18 American citizens and 6 Canadians left Beirut by helicopter July 31.

 

Approximately 11,350 American citizens have arrived safely in the United States via U.S. government chartered flights.  The last charter flight from Larnaca, Cyprus will depart August 2 with 255 Americans.

 

The United States has assisted with the departure of approximately 670 third country nationals. U.S. Embassy Beirut will continue to work with non-governmental organizations, Lebanese Internal Security Forces, the Israeli Defense Forces, UN personnel and the governments of other nations to assist remaining Americans who wish to depart Lebanon to do so safely. 

 

U.S. Embassy Beirut urges American citizens to contact the embassy if they wish to leave.  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 .

July 28, 2006

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.

 
U.S. Embassy Nicosia arranged for performances by magicians and clowns to keep the children occupied during their stay at the Fairgrounds
U.S. Embassy Nicosia arranged for
performances by magicians and clowns to
keep the children occupied during their stay
at the Fairgrounds
SEE OUR ARCHIVE FOR PREVIOUS SITUATION REPORTS, PHOTO GALLERIES AND NEWS

More News
President Bush's Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East

President Bush (July 30): "The current situation in the Middle East is a reminder that all of us must work together to achieve a sustainable peace. America mourns the loss of innocent life. It's a tragic occasion when innocent people are killed, and so our sympathies go out to those who lost their lives today, and lost their lives throughout this crisis." (complete text)
U.S. Responding to Humanitarian Needs in Lebanon

USAID Assistant Administrator Kunder (July 27): "The U.S. Government recognizes that there are serious humanitarian needs in Lebanon and we are responding to the humanitarian needs of the Lebanese people." (complete text) More on  USAID l Photos

Bolton Says Deaths in Lebanon "Tragic"

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton says the deaths of dozens of civilians in Qana, Lebanon, July 30 were "tragic" and cites the need for a "lasting solution" to the crisis in the region. The United States joined other members of the U.N. Security Council in expressing "extreme shock and distress" over the deaths in Qana, and calling for an end to the violence. (complete text)

Secretary Rice Calls for Comprehensive Settlement

Secretary Rice (July 31): "Based on what we have accomplished, and the urgency of the situation, we will call for the United Nations Security Council action this week on a comprehensive settlement that includes three parts: a cease-fire, the political principles that provide for a long-term settlement, and the authorization of an international force to support the Lebanese army in keeping the peace. We are working simultaneously on all three tracks so that a cease-fire can be supported by the deployment of an international stabilization force as soon as possible after Security Council action."  (complete text)

Statement: Suspension of Aerial Activity
Briefing: Efforts To Stop Violence in Lebanon
Briefing: En route to Shannon, Ireland

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