Southern suburbs (Dahiyeh region) of Beirut: We strongly advise Australians against travelling to th

It contains new information under Laws (Australians risk prosecution under Australian law if they fight in other countries) and Safety and Security: Terrorism (on 19 February 2014, two suicide bombs in the vicinity of the Iranian Cultural Centre in Bir Hassan, killed at least eight people and injured over 100 others). We have extended the do not travel zone in the southern suburbs of Beirut to include the area west of the airport road, defined air plane tickets cheap as the area west of the airport highway to the coast, south from Adnon El Hakim Road to Abbas El Mousawi Road. We continue to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Lebanon overall at this time because of the unpredictable security and political situation. The situation air plane tickets cheap could deteriorate without warning.
We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Lebanon at this time because of the unpredictable air plane tickets cheap security situation air plane tickets cheap as a result of ongoing political and sectarian tensions. The situation could deteriorate without warning. If you do decide to travel to Lebanon, you should exercise extreme caution. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media and other local information sources about possible new safety or security risks and political air plane tickets cheap developments.
Terrorist attacks are likely and could occur at any time throughout Lebanon. Security services remain on a high state of alert following a recent increase in terrorist attacks. International hotels, embassies, fast-food outlets, restaurants and other commercial and public places, air plane tickets cheap including western-style shopping centres air plane tickets cheap and grocery chain stores, are possible targets.
There has been an increase air plane tickets cheap in attacks since late 2013, including multiple bombings in the southern air plane tickets cheap suburbs of Beirut in January and February 2014 which killed at least 17 people, a car bomb assassination in downtown Beirut in December 2013, which killed eight people, and an explosion outside the Iranian embassy in November 2013, which killed 23 people.
In the event of a crisis, you are responsible for ensuring you are able to depart Lebanon and that your travel documentation remains up-to-date. You should not expect that the Australian government will facilitate your immediate departure.
The primary road between downtown Beirut and the international airport can be blocked without warning. If the security situation air plane tickets cheap deteriorates access to the airport may be cut off, potentially for extended periods.
We strongly advise Australians not to travel to the southern suburbs of Beirut (including Dahiyeh) at the present time due to the possibility of rocket attacks and car bombs. The southern suburbs are defined as the area south of the Camille Chamoun Sports Stadium to the airport and east of the main airport road including the suburbs of Chiyah, Ghobeire, Haret Hreik, Bir el Abed, Borj el Barajne, Mraije, Roueiss, Lailake, Hay el Sellom and Tahouitit el Ghadir; also west of the airport road, defined as the area west of the airport highway to the coast, south from Adnon El Hakim Road to Abbas El Mousawi Road.
We strongly advise Australians not to travel to Tripoli due to fighting between rival factions. Further violence and armed clashes are likely. For more information see Safety and security : Civil unrest/political tension.
We strongly advise Australians not to travel to all regions in the northern Beka a Valley extending east and north to the Syrian border from Rayek and including air plane tickets cheap Britel, Baalbek, Aarsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa and Hermel.
We strongly advise you not to travel to regions within five kilometres of the border with Syria. Tensions in this area are ongoing and further cross-border clashes are likely. air plane tickets cheap See under Safety and security : Civil unrest/ political tension for more information.
We strongly advise you not to travel air plane tickets cheap to Palestinian refugee camps. The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning. The Lebanese state has no formal security presence in the camps.
There are significant numbers of unexploded air plane tickets cheap ordnance, including cluster bombs, and landmines air plane tickets cheap in Lebanon, particularly in southern Lebanon. Australians are strongly advised to keep to well-travelled paths and travel with local guides.
You should avoid any large gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they could turn violent. In the event of protests or civil unrest you should pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information affecting your safety and security.
Under Lebanese law, Lebanese nationals and non-nationals may prevent family members from leaving Lebanon, even if they are Australian citizens. Australians, including mothers with children, have been prevented from leaving Lebanon when relatives have legally placed border alerts air plane tickets cheap (known as 'stop orders') on them. The Australian Government cannot prevent or overturn air plane tickets cheap the issue of a 'stop order' on an Australian air plane tickets cheap citizen.
The Australian Embassy in Downtown Beirut may be temporarily closed to the public at short notice due to demonstrations and concerns about security in the vicinity of the Embassy. You should call ahead for advice before going to the Embassy. Australians requiring emergency consular air plane tickets cheap assistance can contact the Embassy or the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra. See under Where to Get Help for contact details.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions air plane tickets cheap (such as currency, air plane tickets cheap customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Lebanon for the most up-to-date visa information.
It is against Lebanese law to travel to Israel. If you have any evidence that you have travelled to Israel, or that you intend to travel to Israel, you will be refused entry to Lebanon, or deported. This includes Israeli exit or entry stamps in your passport, and Egyptian or Jordanian stamps from border crossings air plane tickets cheap with Israel, and travel itineraries or tickets that include Israel air plane tickets cheap as a destination. Citizens of Lebanon and other Arab nations, including dual nationals, may be arrested and imprisoned. Other citizens may be held for questioning for lengthy periods (up to several days) before being deported.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport air plane tickets cheap photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Lebanon at this time due to the unpredictable security air plane tickets cheap and political situation. Australians could be caught up in violence directed at others. You should pay close attention to your personal security, monitor the media for updates and follow the directions of local authorities. If you are in Lebanon, and have concerns for your safety, you should consider departing.
Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations: You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations as they may turn violent. You should stay indoors during celebratory gunfire, which often occurs after political speeches. air plane tickets cheap Australians are advised to stay away from areas where violence is known to have occurred or is likely to occur. If you are in an area affected by clashes, you should stay indoors and monitor local information sources for updates on the security situation. If you become aware of nearby clashes, you should leave the area immediately if it is safe to do so.
Political developments elsewhere in the region and international events may prompt large demonstrations or outbreaks of violence. Both planned and spontaneous demonstrations related to the domestic and regional situation do occur.
Be prepared to depart Lebanon quickly: You should be aware that in the event of a crisis you are responsible for ensuring you are able to depart Lebanon. You should air plane tickets cheap ensure that your travel documentation remains up-to-date to allow a rapid departure. This includes obtaining passports for children born in Lebanon and ensuring that any family members that wish to travel with you have a current passport. If violence escalates, roads and highways could quickly become blocked, including access routes to airports and borders. Heavy demand for available flights could lead to a lack of availability of seats. As a result, your departure options may be severely limited. You should not expect the Australian Government will facilitate your immediate departure.
The ongoing conflict in neighbouring Syria is having a destabilising effect on Lebanon. air plane tickets cheap Violent incidents related to the situation in Syria including car bombs, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and rocket attacks have occurred in various parts of Lebanon and are likely to occur in the future. Violence may spill over without warning.
Beirut: On 27 December air plane tickets cheap 2013 a car bomb assassination in the downtown area of Beirut killed eight people, including the former Lebanese Finance Minister, and injured around 70. The attack occurred in an area popular with international visitors. On 19 October 2012, a car bombing in Achrafieh, Beirut, led to violence and disruptions to road access, including to the international airport in Beirut. In August 2012, the reported kidnappings of Syrians and other foreign air plane tickets cheap nationals resulted in escalating tensions in Beirut and elsewhere. Armed groups were mobilised in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Main highways, including between central Beirut and the international airport, have been subject to sporadic closure by groups air plane tickets cheap seeking air plane tickets cheap to protest against Government policies, the situation in Syria, or to destabilise the security environment.
Southern suburbs air plane tickets cheap (Dahiyeh region) of Beirut: We strongly advise Australians against travelling to the southern suburbs of Beirut, as defined by the area south of the Camille Chamoun Sports Stadium to the airport and east of the main airport road including the suburbs of Chiyah, Ghobeire, Haret Hreik, Bir el Abed, Borj el Barajne, Mraije, Roueiss, Lailake, Hay el Sellom and Tahouitit el Ghadir; also west of the airport road, defined as the area west of the airport highway to the