US REVAMPS TRAVEL WARNING SYSTEM

WASHINGTON: US revamps travel warning system, ranks countries.

The United States unveiled a way to warn its citizens about the dangers of foreign travel Wednesday, with a four-point-

Safety Ranking System for countries and and an interactive world map.

TEN war zones and  failed states are  ranked Level Four, ''Do Not Travel'' Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

NORTH KOREA is also Level Four, with an additional restriction that US law prohibits American travelers from using their passports there, effectively banning visits.

But some of the other country ratings may raise eyebrows -or international anger -even if the State Department says it is only presenting existing advice in anew format.

Officials insisted the change was to make  advice clearer  to US travelers, but the travel warning system has long been controversial and often offends foreign capitals.

''These are not political documents. These are simply based on our assessment of the  security situation,'' senior consular official Michelle Bernier-Toth said.

Major European allies like Britain, France and Germany are  Level Two, ''exercise increased caution.'' while authoritarian Uzbekistan gets Level One. ''exercise usual precautions''.

On Tuesday, US senators heard State Department Officials say someone known to the Cuban government has a mystery weapon that they use to cause brain trauma to Americans in Havana.

But Cuba is ranked only Level Three, ''Reconsider Travel''.

Officials insisted that the change was to make advice clearer to US citizens that plan to travel.