The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Lebanon at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel to the country due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Do not travel to the border with Syria, the border with Israel, or refugee settlements due to the potential for armed conflict.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens Services’ unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Review OSAC’s Lebanon country-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

There is moderate risk from crime in Beirut. Violent crime and sexual assault incidents against expatriates are rare, but do happen. Criminal groups have abducted U.S. citizens for ransom and other motives, on at least one occasion using the lure of a business meeting. The Embassy receives regular reports of domestic abuse. Petty theft (e.g. pickpocketing and purse snatching) is common in metropolitan Beirut; criminals often target victims based on perceived vulnerability (e.g. the elderly, unaccompanied females). Car theft occurs frequently; the combined monthly average of vehicle thefts and carjackings was 66 in 2018, with only approximately 25% of those vehicles being recovered. Burglaries occur as well, but to a lesser extent. Police are responsive, but are often unable to affect a positive outcome, particularly in rural areas. There are no special concerns with regard to targeted victimization of U.S. citizens in scams or confidence schemes.

According to Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF – national police) crime statistics, Lebanon experienced a decrease in crime rates across numerous categories between 2017 and 2018. Most notably, homicides fell by 26%, and robberies fell by 33%. Low-level criminal activity (e.g. pickpockets, petty theft, street crimes) remains common, but also declined since 2016 – although the number of reported pickpocket incidents for the month of January 2019 was nearly twice the monthly average for 2018.  

The most noteworthy incidents reported to the Embassy regarding crimes targeting U.S. citizens and/or third-country national Embassy employees have involved taxis, for-hire vehicles, and web-based car services. The following incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018:  

• One serious attack and murder of a female UK diplomat posted in Beirut occurred in December 2017.According to media reports, an Uber driver confessed to the crime.

• The Embassy received several reports of taxi drivers robbing passengers or attempting to assault female passengers.
• A visiting U.S. citizen complained that a taxi lured him into a windshield tour, during which the driver rendered the tourist unconscious and stole his money and other valuables.
• A male taxi driver accosted a female Embassy contractor, attempting to prevent her escape from the vehicle when she thwarted his advances. The female ultimately climbed out of the window of the car while it was stopped in traffic.

The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut to be serious, and requires personnel to live and work under strict security restrictions. The Embassy must approve off-compound employee movements in advance. Any travel in country must use armored vehicles under the operation of armed security personnel. The Embassy strictly controls the movement of its employees to certain areas of Lebanon.

Several criminally oriented families, clans, and gangs continue to operate in Lebanon; police enforcement action against these families is difficult due to the geographically isolated areas in which many of the syndicates operate, and limited police presence and resources in areas outside of Beirut and its surrounding governates. Baalbek and Hermel are two locations that suffer from this issue. The families are involved in car thefts, narcotics trafficking, and kidnappings; they are likely responsible for a number of homicides. Criminal gangs may be responsible for many of Lebanon’s unsolved crimes.

Cybersecurity Issues

Credit card skimming, email phishing, cyber attacks on local banks, and other cyber and financial scams occur, although no Embassy personnel have reported issues with credit/bank card compromise in the last year.

Email scams are frequent and have affected local and foreign businesses. Scammers have attempted to identify themselves as legitimate U.S. government entities to extort money from unwitting victims. Use caution when reading an email from an unknown individual or organization.

Other Areas of Concern

The current Department of State Travel Advisory urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon because of the threats of terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, and outbreaks of violence near Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel. The internal security policies of the U.S. Embassy may be adjusted without advance notice. Security restrictions may prevent access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of the country, especially in parts of metropolitan Beirut, Tripoli, northern and southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and refugee settlements. 

Avoid the Lebanon-Syria border region: There have been episodic clashes between the Lebanese Army and Syrian-based extremists along the border with Syria, as well as Israeli airstrikes. In September 2017, the Lebanese Armed Forces conducted an offensive and recaptured territory in the border region from ISIS. In August 2017, Lebanese Hizb’allah, a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization, clashed with militants from the al-Nursra Front in the border area. There have also been reports of armed groups from Syria kidnapping or attacking Lebanese citizens living in border areas.

Avoid the Lebanon-Israel border region: There are border tensions with Israel. Rocket attacks and responses can occur without warning. Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River, as well as in areas where fighting was intense during the civil war. More than 40 Lebanese nationals have died and more than 300 injured by UXO since the 2006 Israel-Hizb’allah war. Watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and UXO may be present.

• In May 2018, the press reported that Iranian forces fired approximately 20 rockets from Syrian territory towards the Golan Heights in Israel
• In December 2018, the IDF commenced its Operation Northern Shield, uncovering and destroying six tunnels dug between Southern Lebanon and Israeli territory

Avoid travel to refugee settlements: Violence within refugee settlements has resulted in shootings and explosions. Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate autonomously in formal and informal refugee settlements throughout the country.

• In June 2017, five suicide bombers and a sixth militant killed one civilian and wounded seven Lebanese soldiers during a LAF operation in two Syrian refugee settlements near Arsal.
• In January 2018, a Hamas militant leader residing in the Ain Al Hilweh refugee camp located in Sidon was injured when a bomb detonated under his car just outside the camp.

In the event that the security climate worsens further, U.S. citizens are responsible for arranging their own travel out of Lebanon. The Embassy does not offer protection services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens with special medical or other needs should be aware of the risks of remaining given their condition, and should prepare to seek treatment in Lebanon if they cannot arrange for travel out of the country.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, review OSAC’s report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Visitors must have an international driver’s license in order to drive. Driving can be difficult, as local drivers often maneuver aggressively and pay little regard to traffic lights/signs. High rates of speed, erratic traffic patterns, poorly marked merges/addresses, inconsistent police enforcement in the greater Beirut area, and little/no enforcement in other parts of the country make driving conditions hazardous. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

In certain areas of the country, pedestrians have minimal access to sidewalks and are often forced to walk along the sides of the road, which can be dangerous. There are no lanes on the roads for cyclists. Beirut is known for its heavy traffic congestion. Outside greater Beirut, lanes may be unmarked and roads poorly illuminated. Traffic congestion is most noticeable during the morning and afternoon rush hours and during inclement weather.

There is a lack of electronic traffic control signals, resulting in erratic traffic patterns and vehicle accidents. Police rarely respond to vehicle accidents. Insurance companies employ private accident investigators who respond to accidents and may be biased toward the insured party. Parties involved in traffic accidents usually settle matters among themselves, unless significant injury or material damage is involved. Emergency services are adequate in the event of a serious accident. In case of a road accident, emergency numbers are 140 for the Red Cross and 125 for the emergency civil police.

The Interior Ministry has been attempting to implement a new traffic law enacted in 2015, to include the prohibition of cell phone use (calling or texting) while driving. This has resulted in an up-tick of traffic stops in the Beirut and Mount Lebanon regions. However, the frequency of such traffic enforcement is inconsistent and is of questionable efficacy, as the number of reported traffic accidents and injuries resulting from traffic accidents rose by over 10% in 2018, and the monthly average of traffic-related deaths in Lebanon was 41 in 2018.

Refer to the State Department’s Road Safety page for more information. The Embassy also recommends visiting Lebanon’s National Tourist Office website and that of its national authority responsible for road safety.

Public Transportation Conditions

U.S. citizens assigned to the U.S. Embassy may not use public transportation in Lebanon.

There is limited public mass transit. There are some government-run buses in Beirut. Outside of Beirut, there are also privately owned minivan, minibus, or shuttle companies with scheduled services. Use extreme caution when using public transport.

It is preferable to call for taxi service from a reputable taxi company or a car-for-hire service rather than flagging down passing taxis or service cars. Uber and Careem are present and widely used. Because of the risks inherent in using unknown transportation, be wary of so-called service cars and carry the number of a reputable taxi company in case of emergencies. Ensure the car service you choose vets its drivers. For more information on ride sharing, review OSAC’s report, Safety and Security in the Share Economy.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Local media reports expressed concern over the quality of security at the Beirut Rafiq Hariri International Airport (BEY). Embassy personnel use the airport for official and personal travel. In 2017, BEY began the implementation of the Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record program.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Lebanon’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Find further information on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Commercial aircraft are at risk when flying over conflict regions. The U.S. Department of State also warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling on flights that fly over Syria, which include some flights to Beirut.

On April 14, 2018, the FAA issued an advisory Notice to Airmen (KICZ A00009/18) for U.S. civil aviation regarding operations in the airspace within 200nm from the Damascus FIR due to military activity in or around Syria including GPS interference, communications jamming, and errant long-range surface-to-air missiles.

The FAA maintains a flight prohibition for the Damascus Flight Information Region, SFAR 114 due to the continued risk to civil aviation posed from the ongoing conflict and extremist threat.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is serious risk from terrorism in Beirut. There is potential for death or injury in Lebanon because of terrorist bombings and attacks. Violent extremist groups operate in Lebanon, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations Hizb’allah, ISIS, al-Nusrah Front (ANF), Hamas, and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades (AAB). ISIS and ANF have claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Lebanon. U.S. citizens have been the targets of terrorist attacks. The threat of anti-Western terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury as a non-targeted bystander.

• In January 2018, a Hamas militant leader residing in the Ain Al Hilweh refugee camp located in Sidon was the target of an assassination attempt when a bomb detonated under his car just outside the camp, injuring the individual.
• In January 2017, Lebanese security forces thwarted an attempted suicide attack at a busy café on Hamra Street in downtown Beirut.
• In June 2016, an explosion outside a commercial bank in the central Beirut area of Verdun caused major damage to the building and injured two people.

Those living and working in Lebanon should carefully consider the risks of remaining in the country. Remain aware of the potential for terrorist attack, and take precautions (e.g. varying routes/times, avoiding demonstrations) to remain safe. Internal security policies limit, and may prevent, access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of the country. The Lebanese government cannot guarantee protection against sudden outbreaks of violence. Armed clashes have occurred along the Lebanese borders and in Beirut.

Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly, leading to gunfire or other violence with no warning. Celebratory gunfire has also resulted in accidental injuries and deaths. In Tripoli, the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen remain tense. Armed clashes have resulted in deaths and injuries in these neighborhoods, where there are potentially large numbers of weapons in the hands of non-governmental elements. The Lebanese Armed Forces are routinely brought in to quell the violence in these situations.

Clashes between Lebanese authorities and criminal elements continue in areas of the Bekaa Valley and border regions. In the central part of the Bekaa, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred over the past three years. Militant groups may have carried out the attacks.

Hizb’allah maintains a strong presence in the Bekaa Valley, in addition to areas in southern Lebanon and south Beirut.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

The threat of terrorist activity against U.S. citizens continues. Current information suggests that ISIS, its affiliates, and other violent extremist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks against areas that Westerns frequent. Extremists may elect to employ various methods to attack, including suicide bombings, conventional bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.

In December 2017, approximately 2,000 people held an anti-U.S. demonstration near the U.S. Embassy. The following day, over 100,000 protestors assembled in the southern suburbs of Beirut to protest the announcement of U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Civil Unrest

There is a moderate risk of civil unrest in Beirut. Public demonstrations occur with little warning and may become violent. Avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if near any large gatherings or protests.

Protestors have used burning tires and large objects to obstruct roadways; this style of protest typically lasts for a few hours to an entire day. Demonstrators have attempted to impede access on the primary road between downtown Beirut and the airport, but Lebanese authorities are generally quick to reopen the road and maintain control of it. Airport access may be unavailable if the security situation deteriorates.

• In January 2018, Amal Movement supporters blocked several intersections, as well as the main airport road, for over an hour by burning tires and gathering in the street.
• In December 2018, an estimated 1-2,000 demonstrators gathered in Martyr’s Square and Riad El-Solh square in downtown Beirut under the social media banner “We Are Disgusted” to protest against Lebanon’s economic and political state. Fed up with the deteriorating economy, political corruption, poor living conditions, and stalemate over government formation, the protesters marched to the Grand Serail (Prime Minister’s office) to make their demands heard and at times clashed with security services. A handful of injuries resulted.

Vehicular protestors occasionally cause congestion. Several hundred protestors can flood streets with their privately owned vehicles and drive in a parade-like fashion around densely populated neighborhoods.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Lebanon is characterized by sectarian divisions and pressures from external and internal forces that can affect the government’s ability to function. Factionalism and sectarianism can result in political paralysis. Sectarian issues have resulted in the outbreak of violence, evidenced by the Lebanese civil war. However, Lebanon’s internal security situation has remained relatively calm in recent years.

Post-specific Concerns

Economic Concerns

With the increase of sanctions against Iran and its proxies, members of Hizb’allah, and specific banking institutions, there has been concern throughout the banking industry that the strategy will affect the international community’s confidence in the economy. Local banks work with U.S. authorities to counter threats of terrorist infiltration into domestic financial systems.

Personal Identity Concerns

Dual citizens who possess Lebanese nationality may also be subject to laws that impose special obligations on them as Lebanese citizens. Lebanese citizens who are discovered to have associated with Israeli citizens or officials, or to have traveled through Israel, are subject to arrest, detention, and prosecution. Authorities may detain, arrest, or deny entry to anyone arriving at a point of entry with an Israeli stamp in their passport. Penalties are often especially harsh if the traveler is of Arab origin or a dual national. Authorities have also detained travelers who have a family name considered of Israeli or Jewish origin.

Travelers with names reflecting Middle Eastern heritage may face additional scrutiny at Lebanese ports of entry and may be required to show documentary evidence of their parentage; specifically, official proof of their father’s name such as a copy of their birth certificate.

Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Lebanon, punishable by up to one year in prison. LGBTI persons can face significant social stigma. Although prosecutions are rare, Lebanon has charged, tried, and sentenced LGBTI adults for engaging in consensual same-sex relations. Authorities have typically arrested LGBTI individuals for other minor offenses, and then subsequently charged them with violation of the law when evidence of their LGBTI identity is found, often through searches of cell phones or other personal material. While prosecution is uncommon, short-term detentions can expose individuals to discrimination and abuse.

While in Lebanon, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from the United States. Lebanon has passed laws that make it illegal to discriminate against those with disabilities but the laws are not uniformly enforced. These laws include sections on building accessibility, but building codes have yet to be updated accordingly. Most public transportation, including taxis, is not accessible. Roads are often in disrepair, and there are few sidewalks or road crossings. Buildings and tourist sites are also often difficult to access for those with physical disabilities because of uneven ground and the lack of elevators and ramps.

U.S. citizens who come to work in Lebanon should ensure that their Lebanese employer arranges for proper documentation for them to remain in the country. This includes professional athletes, who should make certain that their sponsoring club/team arranges for them to receive the correct visas valid for the duration of their stay. Travelers coming to Lebanon as professional athletes should ensure that a written contract is in place before traveling, as many athletes have experienced problems with scams and false offers of employment.

Drug-related Crimes

Although ISF statistics for arrests made related to drug use dropped slightly from 2017 to 2018, arrests for drug trafficking increased, including one instance in November 2018 when the LAF G2 (intelligence unit) shot and killed a drug trafficker during an attempted car stop and arrest just 1.5 km from the U.S. Embassy compound. In December 2018, crime families operating a drug trade in the Baalbek area of the Bekaa Valley shot and killed two LAF soldiers after the LAF initiated an anti-drug campaign in that region. Drug trafficking across the Lebanese-Syrian border continues to be a problem. Additionally, Lebanon is a transit country for cocaine and heroin. Captagon manufactured in Lebanon and Syria is trafficked outside of Lebanon and distributed throughout the region. 

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnapping, whether for ransom, political motives, or family disputes, is a problem. Suspects in kidnappings sometimes have ties to terrorist or criminal organizations. The U.S. government’s ability to help U.S. citizens kidnapped or taken hostage is limited. U.S. law makes it illegal to provide material support to terrorist organizations. Kidnappings linked to carjacking and taxi robberies have been reported. For more information, review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Police Response

The U.S. government maintains excellent relations with host country law enforcement and security elements. Urgent security concerns are immediately addressed by security services. Overall, police are responsive, though they may have difficulty responding to crimes depending on the time of day and location.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

If police arrest or detain you, make every effort to contact the U.S. Embassy. Although the police do take measures to notify the Embassy in the event of an arrest of a U.S. citizen, this may not always be the case depending on time, place, and circumstance.

Crime Victim Assistance

The local emergency line is 112.

Police Emergency Numbers:

Beirut: 01/300575

Beirut ISF: 01/425250

Baabda: 05/922170

Jounieh: 09/915968

Zahleh: 08/823000

Saida: 07/727156

Tripoli: 06/430950

Beirut Emergency Police:  112

Tareek El-Jdideh/Beirut: 01/858811

Hobeiche Police Station: 01/740925

Explosive Ordnance Disposal: 01/601930/1

When Dialing from a Cell Phone: