Lebanon travel advice

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) – swine flu in Lebanon. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• Travel to some areas of Lebanon requires caution. We advise against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps and against all but essential travel to south of the Litani.
  
  
• On 11 September 2009, two rockets were fired from a location south of Tyre, southern Lebanon into Akhziv, north of Nahariya in northern Israel. The Israelis responded by firing a number of shells near rocket launch site. No casualties were reported on either side.
  
  
• Although the situation overall in Lebanon is calm, it is fragile. On several occasions in recent years, the security situation has deteriorated quickly. Anyone travelling to Lebanon should keep themselves well informed and closely monitor political and security developments.
  
  
• 36 British nationals required consular assistance in Lebanon in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (10 cases), hospitalisations (2 cases), and arrests, for a variety of offences (8 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (17 cases).
  
  
• If you choose to travel to Lebanon we recommend that you register with the British Embassy. You can do this online at LOCATE . See the general (registration) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a high threat from terrorism in Lebanon. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as hotels and restaurants. See the terrorism section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• If you decide to travel to Lebanon we recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance. You should check your travel insurance covers visits to Lebanon, and all the activities you want to undertake. See the general (insurance) section of this advice and the travel insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Lebanon. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as hotels and restaurants. Previous terrorist attacks have taken various forms, including vehicle bombs, hand grenades and small, improvised bombs. There is a risk that Western and British interests may be targeted as well as areas where large numbers of people congregate. You are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance in public places, including tourist sites. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

On 11 September 2009, two rockets were fired from a location south of Tyre, southern Lebanon into Akhziv, north of Nahariya in northern Israel. The Israelis responded by firing a number of shells near rocket launch site. No casualties were reported on either side.

Since 2004 a number of Lebanese and Palestinian politicians and officials have been assassinated. Civilians have also been killed and wounded in these attacks as well as in random bombing incidents. A car bomb killed a senior politician in the Chouf Mountains east of Beirut on 10 September 2008 and bomb attacks in Tripoli on 13 August and 29 September 2008 against the army, killed and injured a number of people.

Since March 2009 the Lebanese army has been taking action against armed criminal gangs in the Beka’a valley involved in drug smuggling and car thefts. The army has been the target to reprisals. Four soldiers were killed in an incident on 13 April.

There has also been a number of attacks against UN troops in Lebanon. In June 2007, a roadside bomb killed six Spanish peacekeepers in south Lebanon. On 8 January 2008 a roadside bomb near Sidon targeted a UN convoy injuring two peacekeepers.

For further information read the terrorism abroad.

Crime

The risk to tourists from petty or violent crime is low by international standards, though vehicle crime and bag snatching continues to be relatively high. In addition there are increasing reports of armed robberies taking place in shared taxis (known locally as Service taxis) with passengers being robbed by either the driver or other passengers. It is advisable to only use taxis from recognised companies and to not use shared taxis or taxis hailed on the street. Normal precautions should be taken.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political Situation

Lebanon country profile

Parliamentary elections held on 7 June 2009 passed off peacefully. The political situation remains calm as the constitutional process for forming a new government takes place, but events can change dramatically. Anyone travelling to Lebanon should try and keep themselves well informed and closely monitor political and security developments.

Local Travel

We advise against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, which remain in a state of tension and where the Lebanese state has limited capacity to impose law and order.

There has long been a pattern of violent clashes in particular in Ein El Helwe camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon. There is a risk that this instability in Ein El Hilwe could directly affect Sidon itself. Beddawi camp near Tripoli has also experienced particularly high levels of tension.

We advise against all but essential travel south of the Litani River. Although a large scale de-mining operation has made a big impact on the large amount of unexploded ordnance, including cluster bombs remaining from the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah this still poses a danger to civilians in the more remote areas. Since 2006 the UN have deployed extra peacekeepers in the area south of the Litani which has led to a period of relative calm between Israel and Lebanon. However, the situation remains unpredictable.

Care should also be exercised if travelling to Tripoli where clashes have erupted between rival groups in the past leading to the death and injury of a number of people. Areas around Bab el Tabaneh and Jebel Mohsin are particularly tense.

Road Travel

An international driving licence is compulsory in Lebanon. This must be certified by the authorities on arrival.

Driving standards are poor and the accident rate is high. Traffic lights are not always observed. Self-drive hire is best left to the experienced. Seat belts must be worn (if fitted). Taxis are not always in good condition or safe; hotels can advise on firms with cars that are recognised as being safe and well maintained. Night driving should be avoided if possible, especially outside well-lit urban areas. Should you choose to drive your own car to Lebanon you should be aware that vehicles with diesel engines are now banned. Anyone attempting to enter the country in a diesel car will be required to leave the vehicle at the Syrian border.

You should carry identity papers with you at all times and be prepared to stop at check points and to show your papers. Since 20 May 2007 the army have been setting up temporary check points on major and minor roads.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Local laws and customs

Lebanon is part Muslim, part Christian. In many areas you will find dress codes more relaxed than in other countries of the region, but you should still dress modestly when visiting sites of religious significance such as mosques or churches, and also where it is clear that local people expect it.

You should respect the local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. During Ramadan eating, drinking or smoking in public places between the hours of sunrise and sunset may cause offence in some areas. For more general information see travelling during Ramadan.

Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious offences in Lebanon, which carry custodial sentences.

Photography should be limited to tourist sites. Photographing military sites may result in your arrest.

The Lebanese Criminal Code contains a general provision concerning 'every sexual act against nature'. Lebanese courts consider that this provision includes homosexuality. A criminal offence under this provision is punishable with a custodial sentence of up to one year.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Child Abduction

The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Lebanon in 2007 was from mothers seeking help in overturning travel bans placed on their children by their fathers. Lebanese family law is very different from UK law and particular caution is needed when, for example, child custody becomes an issue.

If you have concerns about child custody you should seek advice before travelling to Lebanon about 'travel bans' that may be imposed by male heads of family to prevent wives, children or female family members leaving Lebanon. Even if a child holds a British passport they may be Lebanese automatically by descent and so be subject to Lebanese laws and regulations.

If children are travelling without their father accompanying them, proof that they have their father’s permission to travel may be requested by the immigration authorities.

Please see child abduction.

Entry requirements

Visas

British Citizens can apply for a single entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival at the port of entry. British Overseas Citizens and British Protected Persons are still required to obtain a visa prior to travel. Visa requirements are subject to change, so you may wish to contact the nearest Lebanese Embassy.

Overstaying without the proper authority is considered to be a serious matter. You may be refused permission to leave until a fine has been paid.

If your passport contains Israeli stamps you will be refused entry to Lebanon, even if you hold a valid Lebanese visa.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least 9 months from the date of your in arrival Lebanon.

Health

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) – swine flu in Lebanon. The World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic threat alert phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated the swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

Medical treatment in Lebanon can be expensive. Most hospitals are well equipped. Doctors are generally well qualified though nursing standards vary. The majority of medical staff speak French and English.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 3,000 adults aged 15 or over in Lebanon were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Lebanon and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct 0845 46 47.

For more general information see travel health.

Natural disasters

Lebanon is in an earthquake zone. However there have been no damaging tremors in recent years.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See travel insurance for further information.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then see how we can help.

Registration

We recommend that British residents in Lebanon as well as British visitors (tourists and business visitors) register with the British Embassy in Beirut.

You can register via our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are in Lebanon so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. When you are first registered with us you will be assigned a Warden who will, in turn, contact you to make themselves known. You only need to register for the service once and then update your account when you make a new trip abroad. You can even add planned trips abroad up to a year ahead. Help in register is available by contacting the Embassy.

Ensure that your travel documents are readily available and that your permission to remain or reside in Lebanon is up to date as failure to do so may impede your departure from Lebanon.

Where to get information during a crisis

In the event of a situation arising where we need to get information to you urgently your Warden network will contact you. If, however, there is a loss of communication between you and the Warden network you should monitor the following media outlets for updated information and advice to the community:

TV Stations:
LBCI
New TV
NBN
Future News
OTV

Radio Stations:
Radio One 105.5 FM
Voice of Lebanon 93.3 FM
Radio Oreint 88.3- 88.6 FM
Sawt El Ghad 97.1- 96.7 FM
BBC Arabic 93.1 FM

Websites:
www.naharnet.com (English Website)
www.nowlebanon.com (English website)
www.dailystar.com.lb (English)
www.bbc.co.uk (English)
www.bbc.co.uk/arabic (Arabic)
www.elnashra.com (Arabic Website)
www.tayyar.org (Arabic Website)