On February 28, 2026, the US Embassy in Beirut announced the issuance of a “security warning” directed to American nationals in Lebanon, urging them to leave Lebanese territory as soon as possible while civilian airlines were still operating. It also advised American citizens not to travel to Lebanon at all.
The embassy also sent a special appeal to Americans living in southern Lebanon, or the areas adjacent to the Syrian border, or inside “refugee camps,” or in the “southern suburb of Beirut,” of the need to expedite their departure from those areas in particular.
The embassy drew attention to the fact that “Beirut – Rafic Hariri International Airport” is still operating, and that flights are available at the present time, noting the possibility of canceling these flights at any moment, calling for constant follow-up and verification of the available travel options.
The embassy urged American nationals who intend to remain in Lebanon to develop “contingency plans” to confront any possible deterioration in the security situation, stressing the need for these plans not to depend on the intervention of the American government to secure safe exit or evacuation. She also advised being prepared to stay in safe places if the situation worsens.
The embassy also indicated that on February 23, 2026, the US State Department had issued an order for the departure of family members of non-essential American employees, in addition to non-essential employees, due to the “fluctuating security situation in the region.”
The embassy confirmed that all “consular services, routine and emergency, are currently suspended,” and that the US government does not currently have “the ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in Lebanon.”
At the conclusion of its statement, the embassy called on American citizens “not to go to its headquarters until further notice,” and stressed the importance of “registering in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)” to receive alerts and notifications, and to constantly follow the news to keep up with any developments.
