E-mail from US Embassy: The Last Boat

The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens in Lebanon that the last
scheduled ship departure from Lebanon will be on Wednesday, July 26. We
continue to believe that most American citizens who wished to depart
Lebanon with U.S. government assistance have now done so. We strongly
urge all Americans who wish to depart Lebanon and who are able to do so to
proceed directly to the Dbayeh Processing Center. Processing will
begin on July 26 at 9:00am. Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy.
Further delay is not advisable.

Future assisted departures will be on an emergency case-by-case basis.
Such departures may not be immediate.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is in contact with some American citizens in
South Lebanon who have had difficulty in getting to Beirut. These
citizens should remain in contact with the U.S. Embassy for further
guidance. Family members in the United States of these individuals may
contact the Department of State if they have information on their specific
location.
The Dbayeh Processing Center is accessed via the Dbayeh Bridge in
Beirut. Processing will take place at the Mobile Forces Barracks (Marina
Khoury) facing the water station pump near Dbayeh Port. Travelers should
be prepared for a wait; they should bring supplies of food and water
and wear comfortable shoes and protection from the sun.
Americans wishing to depart with the assistance of the U.S. Government
should bring their U.S. passport, money, credit cards, and any other
essential documents. Non-Americans traveling with an American immediate
relative (spouse, child or parent) must have a valid passport and a
valid U.S. visa or green card, if their final destination is the United
States. Those Lebanese-Americans who have a Lebanese national ID must
bring this ID with them, particularly if they have acquired a new U.S.
passport during their stay in Lebanon. They will need to show their
Lebanese ID to the Lebanese immigration authorities in order to obtain an
exit stamp in their passport.

Each person may bring only one small carry-on, maximum weight 15 kg.
In that bag, travelers should bring a change of clothes for 2-3 days,
essential medication, glasses/contact lenses, toiletries, water and snack
food. If bringing children, it is advisable to bring along one toy for
each child, diapers and formula as appropriate, etc. No pets will be
allowed.

The initial screening will involve verification of American citizenship
and eligibility for travel. To ensure your security, and that of the
other travelers, a security screening will also be conducted. Travelers
departing via commercial ship will be taken from the processing center
by bus to the port. Before boarding the ship, all passengers will pass
through Lebanese immigration procedures at the port.

Travelers transported by the U.S. government will go to Cyprus or
Turkey. Travelers will be met by U.S. consular officers who will assist in
moving people to staging sites for preparation for onward travel to the
U.S. There will be U.S. Government-chartered aircraft to the east
coast of the United States. Once in the U.S., travelers will be able to
make onward arrangements to return home.
For the latest on assistance in departing Lebanon, Americans should
monitor the local radio - 105.5 FM - and the U.S. Embassy Beirut internet
website
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has directed the State Department
to waive the normal requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon
on U.S. Government transport to reimburse the Department of State for
their travel costs to the first port of entry in the U.S. The U.S.
Embassy, with support from the U.S. Department of State and Department of
Defense, will do everything possible to facilitate the departure of
American citizens from Lebanon.

The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure
the safety and well-being of its citizens. For more information about
departures, phone the Department of State at 1-202-501-4444 from
overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada.