BEIRUT — The US State Department asked its non-emergency staff and their family members Friday to leave Lebanon, citing security concerns, as Washington readies for a potential military strike against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad in neighboring Syria. “The Department of State drew down non-emergency personnel and family members from embassy in Beirut due to threats to US Mission facilities and personnel,” a statement on the embassy website said. It also urged US citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon due to current safety and security concerns and for those in the country to prepare to depart at short notice. “US citizens living and working in Lebanon should understand that they accept risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks,” the State Department said. In a separate statement, the State Department said it approved the drawdown of non-emergency personnel and family members who wish to leave Turkey's Adana. “Given the current tensions the region, as well as potential threats to US 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,” the State Department said. President Barack Obama is seeking the authorization of Congress to launch a military strike against Syria in a bid to weaken Assad's capabilities and punish the regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons. According to the statement on the embassy website, the State Department said citizens in Lebanon should be aware that the embassy does not offer “protection” services for those who feel unsafe. “The embassy urges all US citizens to monitor the media for the latest developments,” it said, adding that there were no plans to conduct an evacuation at this time which only occur “when no safe commercial alternatives exist.” — Agencies
