In my experience trapped in an Arab country during a terrorist seige several years ago, the airport was shutdown and the international phone lines were cut. The outside world had no idea there was a problem for a couple of days - until the BBC started reporting on it and giving instructions from the F.O.
Our friend in Beirut does have working communications today. But if the phone lines are cut, a shortwave radio may be the only way to obtain information about evacuation.
"But if the phone lines are cut, a shortwave radio may be the only way to obtain information about evacuation."
True enough, you are probably right.
In my coup, we never lost comms, which surprised the heck out of me. Landlines and cells never went down.
Rule of thumb is: 1st the airport, 2nd the Ministry of Communication.