British embassy amends travel advice to Lebanon

The British embassy in Beirut on Wednesday amended its travel advice to Lebanon, and kept its warning of travelling "to some areas" in the county.

The British embassy in Beirut said on its website that it is no longer against "all but essential travel to Lebanon," but against travel to "some areas" in Lebanon, including areas "within five km of the Syrian border."

British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher told Annahar daily "I am pleased to signal that we are no longer discouraging travel to Lebanon. The situation remains uncertain, and we will keep our advice under close review."

The ambassador reiterated that Britain would continue to support Lebanon and stressed "we remain determined to continue our contribution to Lebanon's stability in implementing Britain's 120 million U.S. dollars of stability package."

In August, Britain said that it was against "all but essential travel to Lebanon," citing a recent uptick in violence and wider tensions in the region in light of speculation that the United States would launch a military strike against the Syrian regime.