Going to the Middle East?
July 15th 2011 15:41
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The Arab spring actually started in Tunisia on December 17, when 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi, a fruit-seller from the centre of the country, set himself on fire in protest at his cart being confiscated. This was the catalyst for demonstrations, a presidential retreat and the promise of free elections. The mood is now generally optimistic, and, while recent weeks have seen small-scale demonstrations and industrial action, there are currently no FO travel restrictions.
Certainly, there are no-go areas, such as Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. How are things on the periphery, in Lebanon, the Gulf states, Lebanon and Oman?
Dubai and the United Arab Emirates
Each year, more than 1m of us visit the UAE, and the relatively high standard of living there has soothed any dissent against the ruling families.
Qatar
The state of Qatar is protest-free. About 40,000 British tourists visited last year, and airlines plan to expand their connecting routes from the UK to Asia and Australasia, with Doha growing as a stopover destination.
Bahrain
This was mainly a business destination until March 14, when Saudi Arabian forces intervened to crush the demonstrations. The FO warns against all but essential travel to Bahrain, although the airlines, flights and airport are operating as normal, and there are no restrictions for plane transfers here.
Oman
There are no FO restrictions for this increasingly popular tourist destination.
Others
Lebanon: for so long the enfant terrible of the region, Lebanon is now going through a phase of relative stability. Apart from avoiding the refugee camps and areas south of the Litani River, there are no FCO restrictions in place for flights to Beirut.
Iran: there have been protests in some of the main cities, but the FCOs advice is currently only to avoid all travel to the areas bordering Afghanistan and Iraq.
Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories: the FCO advises against all travel to Gaza.
Algeria: the FO advises against travel to several specific areas of the country.
Syria, Libya and Yemen: the FO advises against all travel here.
Visit fco.gov.uk for more information
Certainly, there are no-go areas, such as Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. How are things on the periphery, in Lebanon, the Gulf states, Lebanon and Oman?
Dubai and the United Arab Emirates
Each year, more than 1m of us visit the UAE, and the relatively high standard of living there has soothed any dissent against the ruling families.
Qatar
The state of Qatar is protest-free. About 40,000 British tourists visited last year, and airlines plan to expand their connecting routes from the UK to Asia and Australasia, with Doha growing as a stopover destination.
Bahrain
This was mainly a business destination until March 14, when Saudi Arabian forces intervened to crush the demonstrations. The FO warns against all but essential travel to Bahrain, although the airlines, flights and airport are operating as normal, and there are no restrictions for plane transfers here.
Oman
There are no FO restrictions for this increasingly popular tourist destination.
Others
Lebanon: for so long the enfant terrible of the region, Lebanon is now going through a phase of relative stability. Apart from avoiding the refugee camps and areas south of the Litani River, there are no FCO restrictions in place for flights to Beirut.
Iran: there have been protests in some of the main cities, but the FCOs advice is currently only to avoid all travel to the areas bordering Afghanistan and Iraq.
Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories: the FCO advises against all travel to Gaza.
Algeria: the FO advises against travel to several specific areas of the country.
Syria, Libya and Yemen: the FO advises against all travel here.
Visit fco.gov.uk for more information
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