Embassy of the United States, Beirut

The Embassy of the United States, Beirut is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America located in the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon. After the American embassy in Baghdad, the embassy is anticipated to grow to be the second-largest in the world and take up a 43-acre site.

History
The United States formally recognized the sovereignty of Lebanon on September 8, 1944. Diplomatic relations were established when George Wadsworth II presented his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary on November 16, 1944. The diplomatic mission was elevated from a Legation to an Embassy on October 3, 1952, when Harold B. Minor was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

During the Lebanese Civil War, due to increasing danger to personnel, the American Embassy was closed and all staff, including Ambassador John Thomas McCarthy, were evacuated on September 6, 1989. The closure occurred following the besieging of the embassy by supporters of a civil war faction, compromising its security and disrupting its operations. The Embassy was reopened on November 29, 1990, with Ryan Crocker presenting his credentials as the new Ambassador.

On 5 June 2024, it was reported that a shooting took place here.

Building
Since its announcement in 2015, the new US embassy compound in Lebanon has been the subject of a significant building project. The embassy is being constructed on the site of the present embassy in the Awkar neighbourhood of Beirut, which is 13 kilometres from the city's centre. With multi-story buildings with tall glass windows, recreational spaces, and a swimming pool surrounded by vegetation and offering views of the Lebanese capital, the new complex is spread on a 43-acre property. According to the project website, the compound contains a chancery, staff housing, facilities for the community, and related support facilities.

The embassy complex, which is expected to cost $1 billion, is being built under the supervision of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO). The construction of numerous additional US embassies across the world was overseen by the OBO. One of the biggest US diplomatic buildings in the world, the new embassy complex is scheduled to be finished soon.

Controversy
Particularly given that Lebanon is going through a financial crisis, the scale and price of the new US embassy complex in Lebanon have generated debate and criticism. Some question why the US needs such a sizable embassy in a nation with barely six million inhabitants.