The US Embassy in Lebanon sent an emergency message to Americans in Lebanon Tuesday, warning them not to travel to the Baalbek area because of clashes between Lebanese authorities and criminal groups. The embassy message, sent in the afternoon, warned citizens to avoid the area while clashes continue and also noted recent clashes in the Bekaa and border regions. “The embassy advises US citizens to monitor the security situation, avoid areas where clashes have occurred, and maintain low profiles in public,” the message said.