Posted on 07/13/2006 1:00:45 PM PDT by NonValueAdded
From Tourists Streaming into Syria from Lebanon, post 47:
To: cinives
You all might find this damn funny, but my sorry ass is marooned in Beirut, where I have been working for the IMF. If anybody has any helpful suggestions on how I can get out of this war zone, I would be most grateful. Right now, the road to Syria is the only way out of Lebanon for anyone, including U.S. citizens, and the Israelis are bombing that road. I am NOT happy with the Israelis right now. I understand their concerns about their kidnapped soldiers but bombing the Beirut Airport was not going to help them in any way.
47 posted on 07/13/2006 3:47:47 PM EDT by rebel_yell2
Also, get a shortwave radio and monitor VOA and BBC for info.
"I understand their concerns about their kidnapped soldiers but bombing the Beirut Airport was not going to help them in any way."
I've was trapped in a similar military clash once, and the very *first* thing they did was to put some large craters in the airport runway.
They don't want the bad guys to have an easy way out of the trap.
And yeah, State's advice back then was "hunker down". Bottled water, canned sardines, and crackers. Maybe a few Valium to counter the nonstop adrenaline surge.
There is a naval blockade.
ditto that. And make sure you stay away from south Beruit, the IAF says they are a comin'. FYI - i don't know how safe that road to Damascus is and i don't think Damascus is where you are going to want to be in the short term if this situation gets any worse
You're attitude's good - a little humor goes a long way... We'll all pray for you and the "hunker down" thing is a good idea. When it starts getting noisy, stay away from windows and elevators. Freepers care -- be safe.
Is there any possibility of going North and getting out through Turkey? I would think that Turkey would be a safer bet than Syria right now. Whatever you do, stay in touch with the State Department and avoid the South neighborhoods of Beirut. The Hizbollah offices are there and Israel is warning people to avoid the areas.
I'll be praying for the innocents caught in this.
go hire some haji with a camel.
I will say prayers for your safety, and for all innocent civilians caught up in this sudden war.
It would have been nice to warn everyone to get out weeks ago, but that is strategically impossible. Israel would have lost the advantageous element of semi-surprise it has had here.
No, not until he is contacted by the warden or an announcement is made.
It's Israeli--be grateful. Unless Hezbollah has stuck missiles in the basement, you're safe.
In a burka by boat.
I heard earlier that there are up to 2500 US citizens trapped in Lebanon.....find and stay with other Americans...they are working on a plan to extract you......
Can you get a train or bus to Turkey?.....
My daughter and her family (including a toddler and a newborn infant) had to leave their home in Safed after a rocket hit the house next door.
They are at a dormitory in Haifa, but Haifa is also being hit with rocket fire.
5 star hotel is a good bet. wherever the shakers and movers are hanging out (there is always at least one place of safe refuge for the wealthy and powerful).
but if it's too dodgey, DO NOT MOVE AROUND ON THE STREETS.
stay put. preferably in a spot with four concrete walls. crawl in the hallways, below window level, don't walk upright (random shrapnel and ricochets).
Warden Message: July 13, 2006
July 13, 2006
Due to events of July 12 in Southern Lebanon and the resulting escalation in tensions in Lebanon, including the closure of Beirut International Airport and the Port of Beirut, American citizens are urged to avoid non-essential travel in Lebanon. There remains the possibility of anti-U.S. demonstrations and American citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens should avoid any areas where demonstrations are possible and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut continues to operate normally. All non-essential travel by official Americans from the embassy compound continues to be restricted as we assess security conditions. We urge Americans residing in Lebanon to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Americans living or traveling in Lebanon are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, http://travelregistration.state.gov, so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Lebanon. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
It seems many FRiends and family are in harms way. Prayers for all.
I feel your pain, and am truly sorry for your condition, but I agree with the Israelis action vis-a-vis south Lebanon, and the Lebanese airport specifically. According to the Lebanese Tourist Ministry's Research Center, over 60,000 Iranians flew into Beirut over the last 6 months, that's 10 thousand Iranians a month. That's a lot of Iranians and I wouldn't be surprised if many of those Iranians "tourists" were iranian revolutionary guards vacationing down in south Lebanon. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the abduction of the two Israeli soldiers, and the killing of eight others was an Iranian operation done by iranian revolutionary guards working with the hezbollah.
I think Israel wants to prevent the 2 soldiers from being flown out to Damascus in route to Tehran, but I also think the Israelis might want to bottle up the terrorists in the southern Lebanon, trapping them as it were. From that standpoint, taking out the airport, however it puts you and thousands of other innocents in harms way, was very smart on their part.
Not really. The Lebanese army doesn't operate any fixed wing aircraft. They don't need runways for helicopters.
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What about Syrian planes and hostage flights out to Iran by air?
---I understand their concerns about their kidnapped soldiers but bombing the Beirut Airport was not going to help them in any way.---
I don't think you understand at all.
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