The U.S. State Department issues highest level travel warning for Lebanon.

On February 23, local time, the US State Department raised its travel warning for Lebanon to "Level 4: Do Not Travel," the highest level of travel advisory. The State Department cited factors such as "crime, terrorism, social unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict risks," and advised US citizens not to travel to Lebanon, especially areas near the border where the risk is higher. On the same day, the State Department also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency government employees and their family members from the US Embassy in Beirut, citing security concerns in the capital. The US stated that embassy personnel are not allowed to engage in personal travel without prior approval, and further restrictions on travel for US personnel may be imposed with little advance notice due to safety concerns or changing threats.