US orders non-essential embassy staff in Lebanon to leave, issues travel warning

The United States has withdrawn all non-emergency embassy workers and their families from Beirut and warned Americans against travel to Lebanon amid looming military strikes on Syria, the State Department said Friday.

It said the decision had been taken "due to potential threats to U.S. Mission facilities and personnel," and comes amid tension in the region over possible U.S.-led action.

“Given the current situation in Syria and the region, as well as potential threats to U.S. Government facilities and personnel, we are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution to protect our employees and their families, and local employees and visitors to our facilities,” a statement said.

“We will continue to assess the situation and to adjust our security posture accordingly.”

It also gave U.S. Embassy workers based in south-east Turkey the option to leave voluntarily.

Beirut's main airport is still open and commercial flights out are still available.

It comes after the State Department on Thursday issued a warning against all non-essential travel for U.S. citizens in Iraq because of “ongoing security concerns in Iraq, including kidnapping and terrorist violence.”