BEIRUT — Britain advised against all “non-essential” travel to Lebanon on Tuesday due to the “ongoing instability” in the country, which has been suffering from a severe socioeconomic crisis for two years.
Here’s what we know:
• According to an update on travel recommendations issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London “advises against non-essential travel to Lebanon” due to “ongoing instability” and reiterates that in some areas all types of travel are advised against.
• “Lebanon is experiencing a prolonged and severe economic crisis. The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without prior warning,” the British Foreign office wrote, noting shortages of "basic necessities" such as oil, medicines and some food, as well as the rationing of electricity. According to London, the economic collapse has also led to an increase in crime, including pickpocketing and sexual harassment in public spaces.
• Since the Lebanese crisis began in the fall of 2019, the Lebanese pound has lost some 90 percent of its value against the dollar, fueling triple-digit inflation. And 78 percent of Lebanese live below the poverty line, up from less than 30 percent before the crisis, according to the United Nations.
• The warning text published by the Foreign Office also mentions the risk of a “conflict with Israel which could be triggered without warning and cause a rapid escalation of violence,” as well as the risk of terrorist attacks.
• London also reminds that any travel to Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, as well as near the Syrian border in the Bekaa and Akkar, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, in Tripoli and in some areas of the south is strongly advised against.