The State Department on Friday ordered nonessential U.S. diplomats to leave Lebanon due to security concerns as the Obama administration and Congress debate military strikes on neighboring Syria.
In a new travel warning for Lebanon, the department said it had instructed nonessential staffers to leave Beirut and urged private American citizens to depart Lebanon.
The step had been under consideration since last week when President Obama said he was contemplating military action against the Syrian government for its alleged chemical weapons attack last month that the administration said killed more than 1,400 people near Damascus.
"The potential in Lebanon for a spontaneous upsurge in violence remains," the department said.
"Lebanese government authorities are not able to guarantee protection for citizens or visitors to the country should violence erupt suddenly. Access to borders, airports, roads, and seaports can be interrupted with little or no warning," the statement said. "Public demonstrations occur frequently with little warning and have the potential to become violent. Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes often escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with little or no warning.
"The ability of U.S. government personnel to reach travelers or provide emergency services may be severely limited," the department cautioned.
Deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said, "We will continue to assess the situation and to adjust our security posture accordingly."
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/06/us-orders-diplomats-out-lebanon-amid-debate-on-syria/#ixzz2e8pzGTmO
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