I just read a US State Dept traveller's advisory against travel to Lebanon by Americans. It was dated 4/12/99. I am planning on being there in May. Should I be concerned or this being exaggerated? I will be travelling with a Lebanese family my entire stay. I really want to go. Thanks.
[There are 11 posts - the latest was added on Fri 14 May, 20:49]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
The Israelis just did a little land-grab around Beaufort
Castle yesterday and their jets did a sonic boom or two
over Beirut on Thursday. Bibi trying to impress the voters
at home... Main worry of Beirutis this week is the 20%
increase in gasoline prices. This is the week of Ashoura,
when Shiites get excited about the battle of Kerbala 1200
years ago - watch out for firecrackers.
They are right, Lebanon is, like, real dangerous, you know?
I certainly feel safer in Beirut than I would in any US city, especially Washington.
Hay Marj, If you're traveling with a KFC AC , you'll be
fine and inshAllah.
I feel better already! I'm going with the best AC there is!
Just avoid the far south (South of Tyre, though Tyre it's
self is ok) and you'll be fine. Also, the southern suburbs
of Beirut should be avoided. They are high in crime, Beirut
has high crime areas like almost any other big city.
Otherwise Lebanon is very safe.
No doubt,
Lebanon is very safe and Beirut is safer than any European
capitol.
Returned from a week in Lebanon on 12th April, I am English
but did encounter some anti-US Lebanese, maybe because of
US support for the Israeli's, some of whom are occupying
South Lebanon, no problems for Brits or other Europeans,
also be aware there are numerous road check points manned
by Syrian Army who may be anti-US. I had a great trip, no
hassles, good food, hospitable people, crazy driving!
I'm going to Lebanon for 10 days and I read about the day
trips you can do out of Beirut to Triploi etc. I was
wondring if any one had any suggestions about which travel
companies were better. I guess the hotel can organize
something, but I'm not so keen on getting involved with some
"organized-to-the-second" tour group.
Also, can any one name some good Lebanese restaurants in
Beirut?
It is only after you visit Lebanon that you realize how
ridiculous the US State Dept. advisory is (as they are for
most countries). It gives you the general misconception
that Lebanon is anti-west/US etc. Unfortunately, our
government uses such measures in order to paint some sort of
picture of a country for purely their own political reasons.
You'd be surprised at how "westernized" Lebanon is and how
extremely friendly and hospitable the people are towards
foriegners. Infact, most Americans don't know how much
cooperation both countries have had in the last hundreds of
years. Many American people have emigrated to Lebanon over
the past centuries for religious and other purposes, such as
starting educational instituions. This is evident by
institutions such as the American University of Beirut,
Lebanese American University, American Community School,
American Universal College etc. Likewise, Lebanese have
come to the US and hold leading positions in most of our
institutions. The only "dangerours" people in Lebanon are
the occupying Israelis in the extreme occupied South, where
it is not advisable to go at all.
When you travel up, high in the Lebanese mountain ranges,
and see beautiful ancient villages nestled in
pristine environments and somehow hanging on the sides of
seemingly endlessly steep ravines and close to gushing
rivers with snow-capped mountains in the distance - you may
realize that Lebanon is one of the most peaceful places on
earth. It is there that one can find a kind of inner peace
that one often reads about. It's no wonder that poets,
clergymen, and philosophers since the dawn of man have
written so much about the country. Visit the countryside
and you will have a similar experience yourself.