JULY 20, 2006 - 18:00 Local Time (GMT+0200)

Ambassador Ronald Schlicher met with Americans from Lebanon temporarily being sheltered in the Cyprus International Fair grounds, in Nicosia. He had warm conversations with the arrivals, many in Arabic, and learned about their experiences.

He then briefed the press about the situation.

Photo gallery below

Over 1600 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16, 2006.

• We have transported over 1200 citizens out of Lebanon to Cyprus today, Wednesday, July 19, 2006
  
• 161 via helicopter flights (2 sorties of 2 helicopters each)
  
• 1066 (the majority of whom are American) aboard the Orient Queen (departed 0800 EDT, arrive Larnaca 1800 EDT)
  
• 36 aboard Canadian chartered ships (will occur daily from Wednesday, July 19, 2006)
  

• Americans leaving the USS Nashville

  We will continue to transport Americans using all resources available. The assets assigned or contracted to help in this effort include:
  • Helicopter flights (4 sorties of 2 helicopters each)
  • The MS Ramah, a Saudi-owned, Panamanian-flagged, passenger vessel (capacity up to 1400)
  • The Orient Queen (capacity up to 1000)
  • The Vittoria M, a United States chartered Italian passenger vessel (capacity up to 325)
  • The Canadian chartered ships
  • The USS Nashville (capacity up to 1000)
  • The USS Iwo Jima (capacity up to 1000)
  • The USS Whidbey Island (capacity up to 1000)
  • The USS Trenton (capacity up to 800)
  • The USS Swift (capacity up to 800)

   

• We are working to provide onward travel from Cyprus. As of this morning, we have chartered 9 flights to provide for the onward travel from Cyprus and arrangements are continuing. The first flight is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore tomorrow morning.
  
• 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 travel costs.
  
• The State Department is working with our partners in the Department of Defense, the private sector, and our friends and allies around the world to assist transporting Americans in the safest manner possible.
  
• What to do if you are in Lebanon or have loved ones in Lebanon? Americans in Lebanon should register with the Department of State by calling: 202-501-4444 or 888-407-4747 or at http://travel.state.gov/
  

JULY 20, 2006 - 07:45 Local Time (GMT+0200)

The Department of State has set up a task force to contract transportation, arrange for the safe return home of Americans, and to coordinate with our military and other nations.

As of 7:45 on July 20, 2006, 1529 Americans have departed from Lebanon; they began arriving in Cyprus July 16. Embassy Nicosia is anticipating the arrival of more than 4,000 Americans over the next several days.

There are hundreds of Americans staying in hotels in the Larnaca and Nicosia area. Due to the lack of hotel space in the high tourist season, over 600 Americans are at present being housed at the Nicosia State Fair Grounds. With significant support from Cyprus, the US Embassy in Nicosia has been providing essential services to the Americans who departed Lebanon: milk, food, necessities, and medical provisions. Medical personnel, marines and local Americans are volunteering to help those who have arrived.

Several charter flights will be arriving to take Americans home this afternoon and evening. We are anticipating sending several thousand Americans from Cyprus to final destinations over the next three days

State Department and DOD together have provided medical, consular, and other support staff and volunteers to help Americans return home.

• U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon are urged to register with the U.S. embassy online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by fax at +961 4 544 209 or +961 4 544 037.

   

• For information about the assisted departure, U.S. citizens may call 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.) or 1-202-501-4444 (from outside the U.S.) - MORE PHONE NUMBERS

   

• Buses will be provided to transport U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon to ships for departure.