The U.S. Orders Its Embassy Staff In Beirut To Leave Lebanon

• 29.09.2024, 1:05

But there is no talk of closing the embassy.

On September 28 the Department of State ordered the departure of some of its employees amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

“U.S. Embassy Beirut personnel are restricted from personal travel without advance permission,” says the message of the Department of State.

It is elaborated that additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.

The order applies to family members of embassy personnel and nonessential workers.

The State Department also urged Americans to leave Lebanon, warning that already limited options to leave the country may become unavailable if the security situation worsens.

“The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Southern Lebanon, near the borders with Syria, and/or in refugee settlements to depart those areas immediately,” stated in the message.