U.S. Embassy Renews Warning to Citizens amid Concerns Extremists Could Target Americans

The U.S. Embassy on Thursday said it was maintaining a travel limit over its personnel in Lebanon amid concerns that radical factions could target U.S. nationals and interests.

 

“There is a general concern that extremist groups may be planning to attack U.S. citizens and interests in Lebanon,” an embassy statement said.

 

“The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens who live, work, or are traveling in Lebanon to exercise responsible security practices,” it added.

 

“Those practices should include awareness of the environment and potentially threatening events such as demonstrations or other public gatherings.

 

The statement urged U.S. citizens to “take care that they maintain a low profile in public and avoid predictable or habitual behavior.”

 

The embassy also called on Americans to contact the mission for updated security information and to report “unusual or suspicious occurrences.”

 

“The political impasse in Lebanon continues. International and domestic efforts to resolve the impasse have not yet succeeded. The uncertain political situation, the presence of extremist groups in Lebanon, and the series of car bombings over the past few months continue to concern the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon,” the statement said.

 

It said that the presence of “U.S. navy ships in the Mediterranean are there in support of our commitment to regional stability.”