- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Lebanon
When travelling to Lebanon, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Lebanon.
| Lebanon overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 13 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| South of the Litani River and Palestinian refugee camps | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Summary
- We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Lebanon at this time because of the unpredictable security and political situation. The situation could deteriorate without warning.
- If you do decide to travel to Lebanon, you should exercise extreme caution. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media and other local information sources about possible new safety or security risks.
- The safety and security environment remains relatively calm, although incidents of violence resulting in deaths and injuries have occurred sporadically. Further violence is possible due to ongoing political and sectarian tensions. If violence escalates, departure options may be severely limited. You are responsible for ensuring you are able to depart Lebanon and that your travel documentation remains up-to-date.
- You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations as they could turn violent. You should pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for updates.
- Terrorist attacks are likely and could occur throughout Lebanon. Western interests have been attacked in the past and could be targeted again. Embassies, international hotels, fast-food outlets and restaurants, including those frequented by foreign military personnel, and other commercial and public places remain possible targets.
- We strongly advise you not to travel to Palestinian refugee camps at this time. The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning. The Lebanese state has no formal security presence in the camps. Outbreaks of violence could spread to other areas of the country, including other refugee camps.
- We strongly advise you not to travel south of the Litani River due to the danger posed by landmines, unexploded ordnance, cross-border artillery strikes and the uncertain security environment. The situation could change without notice and Australians could be caught up in violence directed at others.
- There are significant numbers of unexploded ordnance, including cluster bombs, and landmines in Lebanon, particularly in southern Lebanon. Australians are strongly advised to keep to well-travelled paths.
- You should ensure that you carry personal identity documentation at all times.
- The Australian Embassy in downtown Beirut may be temporarily closed to the public at short notice due to demonstrations and concerns about security in the vicinity of the Embassy. You should call ahead for advice before going to the Embassy. Australians requiring emergency consular assistance can contact the Embassy or the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre. See Where to Get Help for contact details.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
- Given the volatile security situation, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
