More now to add to our earlier post (1.15am) about Australia and other countries arranging to evacuate nationals from Lebanon.
Cyprus and Turkey are both becoming hubs for foreigners scrambling to leave Lebanon (two flights arranged by the Australian government will go via Cyprus on Saturday).
This father welcomed his daughter at Larnaca airport on Cyprus after she was evacuated from Lebanon on a flight provided by the Greek military for Greek and Cypriot citizens.Credit: AP
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has advised Australians to leave by whatever means possible.
Gretchen, an American citizen who lived in Beirut for five years, decided to take the ferry to Turkey’s southern Tasucu port in Mersin yesterday. She chose to take a commercial ferry because flights from Beirut were in disarray, she said.
“We are continuously hearing artillery and shelling and it was just too much,” she said. “I just wanted to leave immediately.”
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Lebanese nationals were also on the boat. Many who got off in Tasucu said they would transit in Turkey en route to another country. Some said they had a second citizenship.
Sami Al King, a Lebanese man who lives in Ghana, took the ferry as all flights out of Lebanon were booked and he would still need to book buses and planes for onward travel to Africa.
“All our families are extended throughout Lebanon. So yes, you are worried you are leaving your loved ones,” said King.
Many hoped to return to Lebanon, where they had built their lives, but others were too traumatised to consider the future.
Gigi Khalifa, a Libyan Cypriot, moved to Lebanon four years ago so her two children could learn Arabic.
“The bombing was very close, it was very traumatic,” she said after arriving at Larnaca airport on Cyprus.
“I just feel bad, you know? For all those people left behind. My friends, my kids’ friends. I don’t know if we will ever see them again.”
Reuters
Source Agencies
