Hi there!
I am planning to take an Arabic intensive course in July in Beirut. I will be based there for a week and planning to do some half-day or day-trips around the country.
I am reading all sort of alarming warnings from government websites, media and my scared family.
Could anyone tell me if it is currently safe to travel to Lebanon and Beirut in particular?
I understand the situation could change till July, but does it feel like the stability of the country could blow up anytime?
Thanks!
What are your concerns? I am looking on the UK government website and don't really see anything too alarming - most of the country is "green" (as opposed to orange or red). Remember that governments tend to be very alarmist on these things, have a look at the warnings for other countries you deem "safe" and you will see what I mean.
There is increased risk of terrorism in Lebanon. But you know exactly which areas they will target (Sunnis targeting Hezbollah areas). I would put it at similar risk to European capitals, but of course the attacks there (European capitals) are more random.
Take sensible precautions and your biggest worries will be road safety and second hand smoke.
I agree w/the others. We who live here feel very safe but we also know that the region is unstable and that our security situation can change rapidly. None of us thinks about that on a day to day basis seriously. I am American and feel MUCH safer in Lebanon than I do in the US. July will be a busy time with lots of visitors and traffic on the roads. Power cuts, hot weather.
The travel advices are more political than real travel advices.
If you use your common sense, everything should be fine.
Roads are much more a potential problem than security situation.
Michel
I've been there last November for a week, my first time in an Arabic country, and felt absolutely safe (road traffic apart, as everyone already said). If you go there not afraid of things that might happen and trying to adapt to their lifestyle, you'll find people are very welcoming
I have been to Lebanon twice, no worries at all.
Don't listen to the US State Dept advisories.
I felt safer in Beirut than some of the U.S. cities I have lived in.
I was in Lebanon for two weeks and two days just now and travelled solo most of the time. It felt pretty safe and I felt no reason for especial concern in Beirut or elsewhere. Byblos, Batroun and Bcharri, in particular, felt amazingly mellow and relaxed. But even in some towns like Rachaya and Tripoli, where British Foreign Office actually advises against all but essential travel, everything seemed safe and calm, and I saw no reason for concern.
Lebanon does of course has a tense relationship with its southern neighbour, and there's a heavy military presence around the country, especially to the south and south-east. But in terms of the possibility of terrorism, I don't think you need have any particular qualms - any more than you would in London or Paris, where terrorism is an occasional fact of life these days, but statistically speaking a minimal risk.
As posters say above, traffic is the most dangerous thing in Lebanon, and Chicago's a lot scarier than Beirut!
