Lebanon

Last updated: August 12, 2020 14:47 ET

Still valid: August 13, 2020 07:17 ET

Latest updates: Safety and security - Editorial change

Risk level(s)

Lebanon - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Lebanon due to an unpredictable security situation and the risk of terrorist attack.

Southern suburbs of Beirut - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the southern suburbs of Beirut, due to the presence of armed groups and the risk of violence from organized crime, kidnappings and threat of terrorist attacks. This includes the following areas:

• from south of the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium to the airport perimeter
• west and east (until Old Saida Road) of the main airport highway, specifically the neighbourhoods of:
  • Bourj el Barajneh
  • Chiyah (south of Hassan Kani road and west of the Old Saida Road)
  • Dahieh
  • Ghobeiry
  • Haret Hraik
  • Laylaki
  • Mraije
  • Rouais

The main highway to the airport and the airport itself are excluded from this advisory.

Safety and security situation

Tariq el Jdideh and Bir Hasan - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the neighbourhoods of Tariq el Jdideh and Bir Hasan in the southern suburbs of Beirut, due to an unpredictable security situation.

Safety and security situation

North Lebanon - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the following parts of North Lebanon, due to an unpredictable security situation:

• North Governorate, including:
  • Akkar District
  • Miniyeh-Danniyeh District
• from Tripoli to Miryata, the area north of the Tripoli-Danniyeh Road, up to the limits of the Miniyeh-Danniyeh District
• the cities of Miryata, Majdalaiya, Zghorta, Rachiine and Achach

In Tripoli, the area west of Bechara El Khoury and Abdul Latif El Bissaf is excluded from this advisory only when accessed from the main highway coming from the south.

Safety and security situation

Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the neighbourhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli due to the presence of armed groups and the high risk of sporadic violence.

Safety and security situation

Border region with Syria - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria, due to landmines, unexploded ordnance and ongoing armed conflict.

Safety and security situation

North Eastern Bekaa Valley - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the North Eastern Bekaa Valley, due to the presence of armed groups and the high risk of sporadic violence. This area encompasses:

• the area west, east and north of Baalbeck, bounded in the west by the Baalbeck-Qaa highway and the border with Syria in the east and the north
• the area east and north of Hermel, up to the border with Syria, bounded by the Hermel-Ras Baalbeck Road and the Qasr-Hermel Road
• the cities of Aarsal, Hermel, Labweh, Qaa and Ras Baalbek

Safety and security situation

Rayak, Brital and Baalbek - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to Rayak, Brital and Baalbek (with the exception of the historic site of the Baalbek temples) due to an unpredictable security situation.

Safety and security situation

Palestinian refugee camps - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to Palestinian refugee camps and surrounding areas, due to the high risk of sporadic violence.

Safety and security situation

South of the Litani river - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to south of the Litani River, near the border with Israel, due to military activity. Historical and tourist sites in the city of Tyre and the main coastal highway from the Litani River to Tyre are excluded from this advisory.

Safety and security situation

Safety and security

Southern suburbs of Beirut

Armed groups, including Hezbollah, are present in large parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs. These neighbourhoods are targets for organized crime and terrorist attacks causing deaths and injuries. Tactics used by terrorists include car bombing, suicide bombing and rocket fire. There is also a risk of kidnapping and being caught in violent clashes between armed groups.

Roadblocks and demonstrations are also common; the latter may turn violent with little notice. When incidents occur, monitor local news reports, avoid affected areas and follow the instructions of local authorities.

North Lebanon

While Lebanese security forces have conducted operations in northern Lebanon to improve the security situation, some parts of the region remains unstable. Avoid all travel in the neighbourhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, in Tripoli, which have experienced inter-communal violence that can spread to outlying areas. Heavy weapons fire (machine guns, grenades and rocket-propelled grenades), sniper activity and terrorist incidents have occurred.

Extremists have sought refuge in northern Lebanon, including throughout Akkar District.

Border region with Syria

The security situation in regions bordering Syria has deteriorated as a result of the ongoing conflict. Armed groups such as Hezbollah, Al-Nusra Front and Daesh, as well as the Lebanese and Syrian military have carried out operations resulting in deaths and injuries. Tensions between armed groups have also increased in border areas, resulting in kidnappings (see Kidnapping, below) and violent clashes.

The border is not always clearly marked.

North Eastern Bekaa Valley

The security situation in the North Eastern Bekaa Valley is volatile and there is an ongoing risk of sporadic violence, organized crime, and kidnapping.

Palestinian refugee camps

The security situation in Palestinian refugee camps and surrounding areas remains tense and unpredictable. Violence is common in some camps—particularly Ain el Helweh, near Saida, and Beddawi, near Tripoli.

Refugee camps are often located close to urban centres and are not always visibly demarcated. Exercise caution and remain aware of your whereabouts at all times in order to avoid unknowingly entering a camp. Palestinians control security in most camps and may delay or prevent Canadian officials from assisting Canadians in these areas.

Areas south of Litani River

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) maintains additional peacekeepers south of the Litani River near the border with Israel as a result of the unresolved border situation. This region remains highly militarized and volatile. Rocket launches and border incidents occasionally occur, provoking retaliatory attacks in this region and elsewhere in Lebanon, and causing injury and death.

Forces other than the Lebanese authorities exert significant control over parts of this region. Access restrictions may delay or prevent Canadian officials from providing assistance to citizens in these areas.

Lebanon and Israel have not agreed on an international border. UNIFIL enforces the Blue Line, which separates the two countries but has not been fully demarcated. Areas adjacent to the Blue Line are often heavily mined. The areas of Ghajar, Kfar Shouba Hills and Shebaa Farms are inaccessible from Lebanon. The border with Israel is closed.

If you are travelling to the city of Tyre, use only the main coastal highway. Please note that travel permits from Lebanese authorities and/or UNIFIL may be required in order to enter areas south of the Litani River that border Israel.

Security situation

The security situation in Lebanon is unpredictable. Pre-existing sectarian tensions, coupled with the spillover of the conflict in Syria, are playing a destabilizing role in Lebanon.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorist attacks, which could occur at any time and any place in Lebanon, including in areas frequented by foreigners, such as hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars, markets, tourist and religious sites, large outdoor events, shopping centres and supermarkets.

Security officials are on a high state of alert and carry out anti-terrorism operations across the country to prevent attacks.

Terrorist attacks on specific individuals or groups as well as targeting densely populated areas increase potential collateral risk to civilian areas. Bombings, grenade attacks, political assassinations, gun battles and vehicle explosions in commercial and residential districts in Lebanon have caused numerous deaths and injuries, particularly during the violence spike of 2013-14 in Beirut. The potential for such attacks and a rapid deterioration of the security situation remain across the country, including in Beirut. On November 12, 2015, two suicide bombers detonated explosive devices targeting the Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs, killing 43 people and injuring hundreds.

Forces other than Lebanese authorities exert a large amount of control in some areas and they may delay or prevent Canadian officials from providing assistance to Canadians. Most notably, Hezbollah is headquartered in the southern suburbs of Beirut and maintains a strong presence in southern Lebanon, the northern Bekaa Valley and several other areas.

Demonstrations

Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and monitor local media.

Planned and spontaneous demonstrations related to the domestic and regional situations regularly occur in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. Some demonstrations have led to roadblocks, burning tires and firing weapons. Security forces have erected checkpoints and barricades to manage protests and used water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds. Further demonstrations could occur.

The road to Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is subject to sporadic closure, due to various factors including local sectarian clashes, civil unrest in Syria and protests against government policies. Access to the airport can be unavailable for extended periods when the security situation deteriorates.

Monitor current developments closely when travelling within Lebanon, as local conditions may change rapidly and without warning, compromising your mobility and safety. You should also observe all warnings issued by Lebanese authorities and take appropriate precautions.

Kidnapping

Kidnappings have occurred in the border areas with Syria and in the Bekaa Valley. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, foreigners and residents have been held against their will. Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times. Although most incidents of kidnapping typically involve Lebanese residents, foreigners have also been kidnapped.

Landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a threat in some parts of the country, including south of the Litani River and near the northeastern border region, despite progress in demining activities. Watch for posted landmine warnings, stay on paved roads and avoid walking or hiking in these areas.

Crime

Street crime, such as purse snatching and pick pocketing, car thefts and residential break-ins, can occur. Violent crime and sexual assault are rare but can occur. Exercise vigilance and appropriate safety precautions.

Road safety

Congestion and aggressive driving are serious problems throughout the country, where drivers have little regard for traffic laws.

Road accidents and serious road rage incidents causing injury or death are common in Lebanon.

Road lighting is sporadic and unreliable in urban areas and virtually non-existent in rural areas. At night, many drivers use their high beams exclusively, often creating a serious hazard due to blinding glare.

Mountain roads may be affected by fog, heavy snow, ice and other hazardous conditions during winter months.

Lebanese drivers are unaccustomed to sharing the road with bicycles, and it is rare to see cyclists around the country. Exercise a high degree of caution if cycling.

Pedestrians should be extremely careful at all times.

Public transportation

Avoid public transportation, which is crowded, unsafe and unreliable. Do not use shared or “service” taxis. Uber is illegal in Lebanon, and Lebanese authorities advise that it is not safe to use the service. Foreigners using shared transportation have been victims of armed robbery, either by the driver or other passengers.

Always pre-arrange transportation with a safe and reliable taxi company, do not hail taxis off the street and avoid using any unmarked taxi services. Most major hotel chains will have an agreement with a reputable taxi company and can arrange the taxi for you.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

General safety information

Ensure that your personal belongings and passports and other travel documents are secure. Keep photocopies of all your documents in safekeeping facilities.

There is a highly visible security presence throughout the country. Carry personal documentation with you and obey the instructions of Lebanese security authorities.