❗️The US Embassy in Lebanon released a statement strongly urging its citizens not to travel to Lebanon and to leave while commercial flights are still available.

It also said that people who are in southern Lebanon, border regions near Syria, refugee settlements, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, are advised to leave immediately.

"We recommend that US citizens in Lebanon who choose not to leave prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate further," it said.

"The US Embassy Beirut is providing limited passport services on an emergency basis to U.S. citizens. All routine consular services, including visa operations, are suspended until further notice," the embassy added.