Lebanon Response Report-Department of State

Fact Sheet

Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 19, 2006

Key Points

Ø       Our top priority remains the welfare and security of American citizens.

 

Ø       The United States is using all available means to ensure safe passage of American citizens out of Lebanon, including chartered commercial ships, US military aircraft, and US military ships en route to the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

Status Report

 

Ø       Over 1600 American Citizens have been transported out of Lebanon by the United States since Sunday, July 16, 2006.

 

Ø       We have transported over 1200 citizens out of Lebanon to Cyprus today, Wednesday, July 19, 2006

• 161 via helicopter flights (2 sorties of 2 helicopters each)
• 1066 (the majority of whom are American) aboard the Orient Queen (departed 0800 EDT, arrive Larnaca 1800 EDT)
• 36 aboard Canadian chartered ships (will occur daily from Wednesday, July 19, 2006)

 

Ø       We will continue to transport Americans using all resources available.  The assets assigned or contracted to help in this effort include:

• Helicopter flights (4 sorties of 2 helicopters each)
• The MS Ramah, a Saudi-owned, Panamanian-flagged, passenger vessel (capacity up to 1400)
• The Orient Queen (capacity up to 1000)
• The Vittoria M, a United States chartered Italian passenger vessel (capacity up to 325)
• The Canadian chartered ships
• The USS Nashville (capacity up to 1000)
• The USS Iwo Jima (capacity up to 1000)
• The USS Whidbey Island (capacity up to 1000)
• The USS Trenton (capacity up to 800)
• The USS Swift (capacity up to 800)

 

Ø       We are working to provide onward travel from Cyprus.  As of this morning, we have chartered 9 flights to provide for the onward travel from Cyprus and arrangements are continuing.  The first flight is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore tomorrow morning.

 

Ø       In this extraordinary case, Secretary Rice has directed the State Department to waive the requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon to reimburse the United States Government for travel costs.

 

Ø       The State Department is working with our partners in the Department of Defense, the private sector, and our friends and allies around the world to assist transporting Americans in the safest manner possible.

 

Ø       What to do if you are in Lebanon or have loved ones in Lebanon?

• Americans in Lebanon should register with the Department of State by calling:

202-501-4444 or 888-407-4747 or at  www.travel.state.gov

Released on July 19, 2006