U.S. State Department renews warning to Americans to avoid Lebanon because of violence

The U.S. State Department is renewing a warning to Americans to avoid travel to Lebanon and to residents to remain in touch with the U.S. Embassy because of the risk to Americans in the unsettled Middle East country.

"Recent events in Lebanon underscore the need for caution and sound personal security precautions," the department said Monday in a travel warning. It mentioned the February assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a bombing that killed more than 20 others and 13 other bombings since that have killed nine.

"The potential for violence remains," the warning said.

"Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act.", AP reported. V.A.