U.S. extends ban on travel to Lebanon
January 21, 1997Web posted at: 10:00 p.m. EST WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has extended the ban on travel to Lebanon for another six months. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said Tuesday that Warren Christopher, in one of his last acts as secretary of state, decided U.S. citizens were still under substantial threat in Lebanon. In particular, U.S. officials fear attacks by terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. Lebanese officials have tried to get the ban lifted, arguing that the inability of U.S. passport holders to visit Lebanon undermines attempts at Lebanese reconstruction. Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri lobbied hard to try to lift the restriction on a visit to Washington last October. Christopher made the decision Friday to extend the ban until July, when it will again be reviewed. 
Related sites:
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc. Terms under which this service is provided to you. |