Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Lebanon and Jordan, Volume XI

135. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon¹

Washington, July 14, 1958—11:36 p.m.

204. London for Barbour. Deptel 189.² President has issued orders for amphibious landing by Marine battalion landing team at Beirut 1500 Beirut time tomorrow July fifteen. No later than noon (that is at least three hours prior landing) you should therefore inform Chamoun that foregoing action being taken pursuant his request and that US Government expects full cooperation Lebanese armed forces. In so informing Chamoun you should at your discretion base your remarks on draft political directive, Deptel 4790,³ and other pertinent telegrams. If feasible you should also urge Chamoun take necessary steps to prevent information being transmitted outside of Lebanon prior actual landing.

If for any reason task force should be unable make exact deadline, task force commander being instructed communicate any time change to you.

Shortly before landings you should request Lebanese Government issue immediate NOTAM closing Beirut Airport and, if considered necessary, declaring airspace over Lebanon danger area until further notice.

While we hope that US action will bring improvement general situation Lebanon, assume you, in collaboration with appropriate military commander, will take such further necessary evacuation action as local circumstances may require.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.00/7–1458. Top Secret; Niact. Drafted by Symmes and cleared by Rockwell, Rountree, Reinhardt, and with JCS. Also sent to London and repeated to CINCNELM, COMSIXTH FLEET, USUN, and Paris.
2. See footnote 3, Document 124.
3. Document 82.