Beirut: The US State Department has escalated its travel advisory for Lebanon to Level 4, advising all US citizens in the country to leave immediately and refrain from any travel to Lebanon.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the State Department issued a statement urging US citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial flights remain available at Rafik Hariri International Airport. The statement highlighted that consular assistance and evacuation efforts would be highly restricted in case of an escalating crisis, making reliance on such interventions precarious.

The advisory emphasized the importance of avoiding border areas, refugee camps, and densely populated suburbs that may face abrupt security challenges. It pointed out the unpredictable nature of the current security environment, demanding heightened caution and awareness from both residents and visitors.

This advisory aligns with the directive for non-essential US government employees and their families stationed at the embassy in Beirut to evacuate. The decision stems from the deteriorating security conditions and the looming threat of significant armed conflict in the region.