Sweden advises against travel to Lebanon amid regional unrest

A resident of Zahlé, located in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, described the situation there as relatively calm amid recent unrest in the country. He noted that restaurants and cafes remain lively, with only a few individuals expressing mild concern. “Life continues as usual here. We hear about Israeli bombings in the south, but it’s quiet in our area. Some people just don’t seem to care, believing nothing will happen, as Lebanese are accustomed to conflict,” he stated.

Since October 2023, Sweden’s Foreign Ministry has advised against travel to Lebanon, urging citizens already in the country to leave, citing it may become impossible to assist them if the situation escalates. Despite this, estimates indicate that around 8,000 to 10,000 Swedes visit Lebanon during summer months.

David, a Swedish citizen, decided to travel to Lebanon despite following news about potential conflict and warnings from Tobias Billström regarding the difficulty of receiving assistance. He wanted to visit his aging parents, particularly as his father, who had undergone heart surgery, had been hospitalized over the past year. “I accepted the risk. I knew the situation but talked to friends still living there and heard of many who had gone. I didn’t want to miss the chance to see my parents in case war broke out,” he explained, adding he traveled without his wife and two sons to avoid exposing them to any danger.

Around 850 individuals in Lebanon have registered with the Swedish authorities, but David chose not to. “The situation here isn’t as severe as in the south. I’m flying back on Wednesday, but if I had planned a longer trip, I would return immediately,” he said, acknowledging the increasing tensions in the region.