U.S. evacuation teams arrive in Beirut
BEURIT, Lebanon, July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. military teams arrived by helicopter at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut Sunday to begin evacuating Americans from war-torn Lebanon.
"The arrival of the teams is an important first step in facilitating the safe departure of Americans who want to leave Lebanon," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
The evacuations, most likely to the neighboring island of Cyprus, will probably not begin for a few days, CNN reported.
An estimated 25,000 Americans live or work in Lebanon. U.S. officials said they assume about 15 percent, or about 3,800 people, will choose to leave.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut will stay in operation after the evacuation, the network said. Officials said the ambassador's office will remain open, and political, security and consular services will continue, even if they are short-staffed.
About 350 Europeans were evacuated to Cyprus aboard Italian military flights Saturday night and early Sunday.
Israeli air strikes have shut Beirut's international airport and parts of the main highway to neighboring Syria. Israel is also blocking ship traffic.
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The Pentagon notified Congress of plans to sell Israel jet fuel valued at up to $US210 million ($A280 million) "to keep peace and security in the region". "The proposed sale of the JP-8 aviation fuel will enable Israel to maintain the operational capability of its aircraft inventory," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in notice required by law. It said Israel had requested the sale, but did not say when the request was made.