30th August 2013 Beirut, Lebanon
Changes of UK Travel Advice
As you may have seen from the media and our digital comms, the UK has changed its travel advice for Lebanon. We are now advising against all but essential travel to Lebanon.
For Brits intending to travel to Lebanon, this means that you need to assess whether your trip really is essential. For Brits already in Lebanon, you should consider whether it’s essential that you remain for the coming period.
We don’t take these decisions lightly, and we very much hope this is a temporary measure. The decision relates to the recent upsurge in violence in Lebanon, and tensions in the region. We keep our advice constantly under review: if the situation changes, so will our travel advice.
In the meantime, and as a general rule, British nationals in Lebanon or planning to travel to Lebanon should subscribe to travel advice updates, follow us on Twitter (@ukinlebanon and @HMAtomfletcher), and ‘like’ our Facebook page for the latest updates.
Brits who require consular assistance can call +961 1 960 800 or email: consular.beirut@fco.gov.uk.
We remain determined to continue our contribution to Lebanon’s stability. We continue to implement the UK’s $120m stability package. Last week I visited refugees in South Lebanon who were receiving aid from an NGO we support.
Our Chief of Defence Staff visited Lebanon this week to meet Commander Kahwaji and consolidate our defence relationship. And, against the odds, UK-Lebanon trade is at record levels, at a time when people greatly need jobs and stable incomes in both our countries.
Anyone who has read the posts on this blog knows how passionately I believe in Lebanon’s future, and our role in it. This is an anxious time, and I know that many Lebanese are worried. But it is more important than ever that we focus on what unites rather than what divides.
Dear Mr Fletcher
I am pleased to learn of your interest in education and the work of Adyan, which I understand is funded by UK sources. I think you will therefore be interested in a project I am leading from the Institute of Education University of London, funded by the EU. We have been engaged to support capacity building with the Ministry of Education to develop citizenship education across the country. Our approach is strongly based on commitments to democracy and human rights. We have contact with Adyan has rather limited capacity in curriculum development, though I agree they are doing excellent work.
Three of us from London will be travelling to Beirut Monday 16 September and staying until Friday for important meetings with our local partners, the EU and the Ministry. In spite of your warning and explanation we feel that these meetings are of critical importance. I should be delighted to brief you further on our project in person or by correspondence.
With good wishes
Hugh Starkey
Maybe this says something to the West, that WARS do not end when the last bomb is fired or when the planes Strike and flies away. WARS go on for years and years, from generation to generation, suffering does not end with an agreement between Politicians who created this suffering in the first place. I guess the West has a lot to learn but unfortunately is not, what we consider mistakes in the Middle East, they consider a game or an Agenda or even a bigger plan with few millions paying the price being mere details.
It is sad Mr Ambassador and I am sure you are witnessing this every day in Lebanon. Only our prayers can save us, not more bombing.
Thank you. We are clear that whatever happens next in Syria, there needs to be more not less politics.
Tom ,not intended as a criticism nor a complaint ,anyone (resident ) attempting to leave Beirut after Friday 23rd would have great difficulty making an exit to any country , following Fridays loud bangs in Tripoli ,and the Lebanese response to it , with August the seasonal peak exit traffic ,( kids back to school ) combine this with Syrians exiting via Beirut, all flights, to all destinations ,are full ,!! a little wasta and large amounts of cash, could secure a first class ticket to an obscure transit station ,(viz Manchester via Dubai /Bahrain ) but not many. Consequently Tom , i, like any others like me wishing to return to UK ,in the face of all the conjecture and apprehension, in the build up, to USA proposed strike during the next few days,will have to sit tight until around the 15th September in order to get a seat ,provided of course that the airport remains open and the scheduled flights continue .
Not an easy call for the Embassy, with so many built in factors ,but with the benefit of hindsight ,the travel advice update would have had to been at the time of the bang in Dahyeh to have any benefit
Thanks Bob, I can understand the frustration, and I know that commercial options have been more limited. These calls over travel advide are very difficult to make.
Thank you for the advice it is always appreciated. If there is anything I can do to help over here in Khalde please let me know. Have been a warden in the past and know the routines. take care guys and stay in touch.
with love Ginni Ghaziri
Good to know Ginni, many thanks.
Just would like to say we need to teatch the new
Generation in Lebanon about how to prevent
Any problems and create the peace to lead us
To the best result , away from politics and away
From bad behavior . We need to learn , it is easy
To destroy things but it is very difficult to build
Again .
Thanks Iman, hugely important. Have a look at the brilliant work done by Adyan on the schools curriculum.
Dear Mr. Fletcher,
You have been contributing the best you can to create a peaceful world that supports everyone in Lebanon. Thank you so much.
I keep looking forward to the time when the power of love will replace wars in the Middle East!
We are definitely very tired of bombs and very tired of carrying bags and escaping crazy wars. We are fed up with losing our homes and possessions!!
Hopefully one day our world receives God’s blessings!!!!!
Tom,
I am very proud to be British today, more than I usually am. Why? I saw democracy in action when the present British government listened to its people and whether it ( the UK) should take military action against Syria. The people said no. Parliament said no. Is David Cameron humiliated by this, as some UK press are reporting? I say not at all. This is democracy at work and kudos to Cameron for taking a vote on it before taking any military action. Cameron should be feeling pretty proud today, in my simple opinion, for holding up the bastion of democracy in the UK.