The office of Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Temecula, announced Monday it was offering assistance to Americans in Lebanon or those with family members there following a recent security alert.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued an alert for Americans in Lebanon who wish to leave the country. On July 27, a rocket attack into the Golan Heights killed 12 people, including children.
According to a recent Reuters report, the Israeli government blamed Hezbollah and vowed “to inflict a heavy price on the Iran-backed Lebanese group.” Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the strike.
Last Thursday, the embassy also raised the travel advisory for Lebanon to “Level 4: Do Not Travel” — considered the highest warning level — for the entire nation, according to Issa’s office.
Issa “and his team are ready to assist, in particular with visas and passports,” according to a news release from his office.
“While Congressional offices do not issue these documents, our staff can help individuals needing additional assistance to navigate the process,” Issa’s office said.
Issa’s assistance page is at issa.house.gov/services/help- federal-agency.
Those not living in the 48th Congressional district can find their House representative here: house.gov/representatives/find-your- representative.
For those who want to inform the U.S. Embassy in Beirut of their presence in Lebanon, they may enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program at step.state.gov/.
U.S.-based residents may enroll to receive updated travel messages for a particular country.
According to Issa’s office, the U.S. State Department has not initiated an evacuation plan but offers this advice:
- Those wanting to leave Lebanon should find ticket options that do not necessarily take them to their preferred destination as the first stop
- Americans should avoid other Level 4 nations, particularly Syria and Iran (information is travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.ht ml/
- — Information on the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport flight board (airport code: BEY) is at www.beirutairport.gov.lb/_flight.php?type=dprtr
More information on the July 31 and Aug. 3 alerts are at: lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon-july-31- 2024/ or lb.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-lebanon- august-3-2024/.
— City News Service
