Summary

Download map (PDF)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon since the outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza on 7 October and ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges in South Lebanon. You should consider whether your need to remain in Lebanon is essential

The FCDO advises against all travel to the following locations:to:

  • Palestinian refugee camps
  • within 5km of the border with Syria
  • the Hermel Area, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé
  • the area south of the Litani River which includes the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it

In particular, the FCDO alsoadvises continues to advise against all but essential travel to the following areas for security reasons:to:

  • southern suburbs of Beirut defined as: south of the sports stadium and the Adnan Al Hakim road which heads west from the stadium to the Beirut-Saida (Sidon) road - down to the airport. This area includes the neighbourhoods of Bir Hassan, Ghobeiry, Chiyah, Haret Hraik, Burj Al Brajne, Mraije, Er Rouais and Laylake. It excludes the main airport highway, the Beirut-Saida road and west of there to the coast, and the area between the airport highway and the coast south of Abbas El Mousawi Road, including the Golf Club of Lebanon
  • Akkar district between 5km from the Syrian border and the Aabdeh, Halba and Qoubaiyat highway
  • the city of Tripoli
  • the Rayak-Baalbek highway (from the junction at Riyak along the highway to Baalbek), the areas around it and towns along it, including Baalbek, and also the area East of the highway up to 5km from the Syrian border and South of Nahlé town
  • the towns of Rachaiya, Hasbaiya, and Khiam in the Beqaa Valley, and the area between these towns up to 5 km from the Syrian border
  • within 2km of the Ain el Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida. This includes the Saida section of Highway 51 and the Coastal Highway north of the Gaziyeh Road intersection and the Saida section of the Jezzine-Saida road westward of the Abboud Gas Station. Those travelling south from Beirut towards Saida along Highway 51 should turn east off the main highway at the Awali River junction before the permanent LAF security checkpointcheckpoint.
  • south of the Litani River except the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it

YourFollowing travelthe insuranceattacks couldin beSouthern invalidatedIsrael, ifthere youwere travelmortar againstand FCDOartillery advice.exchanges Consularbetween supportLebanese isHezbollah alsoand severelyIsraeli limitedDefence whereForces on 8 October (2023) across the Blue Line in South Lebanon. Tensions are high and events may escalate with little warning, potentially affecting exit routes. British Nationals should consider travel plans accordingly, monitor the regional situation and follow FCDO advisestravel againstadvice travel.for updates.

Conflict

There inwas neighbouringa Israelseries of rocket and theartillery Occupiedstrikes Palestinianaround Territoriesthe (OPTs)

Following‘blue line’ between the outbreakborders of violenceLebanon betweenand Israel andon Gaza6 sinceApril.

On 730 OctoberJuly, there havewas beenan ongoingescalation mortarin andviolence artillerybetween exchangesarmed groups within the Ain el Hilweh Camp. The fighting between Lebanesegroups Hezbollahcontinued with a number of deaths and Israeliinjuries. There Defencewere Forces)confirmed acrossreports of stray bullets from small arms fire hitting a civilian vehicle along the Bluemain LineSaida inHighway. SouthAs Lebanon.a Tensionsprecaution, arethe highLebanese andArmed eventsForces couldclosed  escalatethe withmain littlehighway warning,that itruns couldparallel affectto orthe limitcamp exitand routesredirected outtraffic to alternative routes.

On 7 September, a number of Lebanon. injuries Youwere shouldreported reviewfollowing youran needintensification toof stayfighting between armed groups in Lebanonthe ,Ain monitorel thisHilweh travelcamp. adviceThere andwere otherreports mediaof rounds reaching as thefar situationas isGhaziyeh changingTown fast.

Follow(2km andsouth). contactAs FCDOa travelprecaution, the Lebanese Armed Forces created a roadblock on X/Twitter,Highway Facebook51 in the Ghaziyeh area and Instagram.redirected Youtraffic canto alsoalternative getroutes. emailTensions notificationsremain whenhigh thisand travelcould adviceescalate iswithout updated.warning. Expect road closures and check travel updates.

ReadBefore FCDOyou advicetravel, ifcheck you’rethe affected‘Entry byrequirements’ asection crisisfor abroad.

HelpLebanon’s current entry restrictions and supportrequirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in Lebanon

contact with your travel provider.

YouIf canyou contactplan to pass through another country to return to the emergencyUK, servicescheck bythe callingtravel 112.advice for the country you’re transiting.

Lebanon is experiencing a prolonged and severe economic crisis. The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning. If you needare urgentin helpLebanon (forat example,this you’vetime, beenor attacked,considering arrestedtravel, oryou someoneshould hasread died),our callSafety +961and (0)1security 960800. page.

IfBasic you’recommodities (fuel, medicines, food) are available but may be expensive or difficult to obtain. Electricity in Lebanon is also limited. The availability and youquality needof advicemedical whichtreatment is notaffected covered by readingthe oureconomic travelcrisis adviceand thenfuel youshortages. can contactSee us‘Shortages’ onlineand ‘Local medical care’. for further information and how to prepare yourself.

Whilst consular assistance is available 24/7 by phone or online, in-person consular support is severely limited in parts of Lebanon where we advise against all travel and limited where we advise against all but essential travel.

In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, the British Embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. Do not rely on the the FCDO being being able to evacuate you in an emergency.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

BeforeIt youis travel,more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the ‘EntryFCDO’s requirements’guidance sectionon foreign travel insurance.

Crime, forincluding Lebanon’sbag currenttheft, entryproperty restrictionscrime and requirements.sexual Theseharassment mayin changepublic withspaces, littlehas warning.increased Monitoras thisa adviceresult forof the latesteconomic updatesdecline andin stayLebanon. This includes in contactBeirut. withSee yourSafety traveland provider.security.

IfA youconflict planwith Israel could spark with little warning and lead to passa throughrapid anotherescalation countryin violence. There have been exchanges with the Israeli Defence Forces across the Blue Line in the South of Lebanon. This has included cross-border shelling, rocket fire and air strikes on Lebanon. See Security situation

Terrorists are very likely to returntry to carry out attacks in Lebanon. You should be vigilant at all times, avoid crowds and crowded places and follow the UK,advice checkof the travelLebanese authorities. Previous attacks have targeted the security forces, as well as locations where Western visitors may congregate. You should follow the advice forof the countrylocal you’reauthorities, transiting.and check local news and this travel advice regularly. See Terrorism

There’s a heightened risk of terrorism against aviation. Additional security measures have been in place on flights departing from Lebanon isto experiencingthe aUK prolongedsince March 2017. You should co-operate fully with security officials.

Groups within Lebanon, including Hizballah, are proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 and severethe economicCounter crisis.Terrorism The(Sanctions) situation(EU isExit) unpredictableRegulations 2019. Offences committed under the act including funding and couldsupporting deteriorateproscribed withoutorganisations warning. If youmay arebe liable to prosecution in Lebanonthe atUK.

On this4 time,August or2020 consideringa travel,large youexplosion shouldoccurred readin ourthe Safetyport area of Beirut causing widespread damage to buildings and securityinfrastructure page.in the city and surrounding areas. Many of the buildings have not been repaired yet. You should exercise caution in affected areas as buildings may not be safe.

ItThere is morea importanthigh thanrisk everof toforest getfires travelin insuranceLebanon, particularly during the summer months. See Natural disasters

There are unexploded ordnance and checkland itmines providesin sufficientmany cover.places. You should avoid travelling away from established paths, especially when hiking. This is particularly a concern in southern Lebanon. See Local travel

You can contact the FCDO’semergency guidanceservices onby foreigncalling travel112.

The insuranceOverseas Business Risk service. offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.