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edited video: American Evacuation from Lebanon, July 2006 (46,398kB WMV9)      raw video (MP4)   2244608 Jul 22 18:12 bus01.MP4   5881856 Jul 22 18:13 musterpoint01.MP4      3850240 Jul 22 18:13 musterpoint02.MP4   3850240 Jul 22 18:14 port01.MP4   3211264 Jul 22 18:14 port02.MP4   6291456 Jul 22 18:15 ship01.MP4   4947968 Jul 22 18:16 ship02.MP4  12124160 Jul 22 18:17 ship03.MP4    507904 Jul 22 18:17 ship04.MP4   2408448 Jul 22 18:18 taxi01.MP4   3850240 Jul 22 18:18 taxii02.MP4 PHOTOS RY2.QO01.jpg                             2006-JUL-21 21:51:50   236kRY2Bus01.jpg                             2006-JUL-21 21:51:50   218kRY2Bus02.jpg                             2006-JUL-21 21:51:50   133kRY2Cruise01.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:49   200kRY2Cruise02.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:49   263kRY2Cruise03.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:49   230kRY2Cruise04.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:49   227kRY2Cruise05.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:50   136kRY2Cruise06.jpg                          2006-JUL-21 21:51:50   230kRY2OrientQueen02.jpg                     2006-JUL-21 21:53:57   279kRY2OriientQueen01.jpg                    2006-JUL-21 21:53:57   252kRY2Port01.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:53:57   245kRY2Port02.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:53:57   693kRY2Port03.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:53:57   220kRY2Port04.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:55:13   289kRY2Port05.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:55:13   348kRY2Port06.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:55:13   254kRY2Port07.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:55:13   254kRY2Port09.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:55:13   216kRY2Port10.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:57:18   268kRY2Port11.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:57:18   795kRY2Port13.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 21:57:18   249kRY2Port14.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 22:09:46   227kRY2Port15.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 22:09:46   235kRY2Port16.jpg                            2006-JUL-21 22:09:46   697kRY2Preboard01.jpg                        2006-JUL-21 22:09:46   262kRY2Preboard02.jpg                        2006-JUL-21 22:09:46   280kRY2Preboard03.jpg                        2006-JUL-21 22:10:41   280kRY2Preboard04.jpg                        2006-JUL-21 22:10:41   252k

Freerepublic Exclusive: Photo Diary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scenes from the muster point where evacuees check in and board buses to the Orient Queen.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glimpse of Safety --------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the bus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bus ride to the Beirut port from the muster point near the Embassy.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buses arrive at Beirut port, Orient Queen is in the background. British helicopters arrive, land, take on evacuees from buses, and then depart.       Lebanese soldier providing port security lights up a cigarette. Lebanese navy (both ships!)...

"I'm out!!! Got out on the Orient Queen yesterday to Larnaca. Am now in Athens and will be in Chicago tonight. More then. Feel free to share this, as I don't have time to post yet. Got lots of pictures of the evacuation. And about half of the passengers WERE NOT U.S. Citizens!!! Lebanese nationals with Green cards and what all. My group were almost the ONLY people speaking English. It was sickening. MAKE THEM ALL PAY!!! They were treating it as a vacation cruise oblivious that their country is being destroyed. We were so mad we couldn't stand it....

Post 215 on the 7/20 Middle East live thread contains wonderful news that rebel_yell2 got out on the Orient Queen and is making his way home. I know many have been following his story so thought I'd post the good news! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1668955/posts?page=215

(IsraelNN.com) Thousands of tourists and foreign employees are fleeing to Syria as Israel tightens a sea and land blockade on Lebanon. Syrian officials said they have relaxed border inspections in order to speed up procedures. Israel hit the Beirut international airport for at least the second time Thursday night in an effort to close off all air traffic. Government officials said they have substantiated information that Hizbullah terrorists are trying to take the two abducted IDF soldiers to Iran.

I thought this could be a new thread for today. BurbankKarl's thread did well yesterday.

Headline from MSNBC Also: CNN just reported that fair grounds in Cyprus have been secured to house 500 beds and another 250 hotel rooms are secured for evacuees

BEIRUT — Thousands of Americans whose vacations and business trips to Lebanon have degenerated with sickening speed into stints in a battle zone remained stranded here under Israeli bombardment Monday, their frustration and anger mounting because the U.S. government hasn't gotten them out faster. Waiting around Beirut with bags packed and fingers crossed, U.S. citizens derided the embassy for busy phone lines, a lack of information and gnawing uncertainty over when and whether they will get out. Hundreds were expected to be shipped to Cyprus today, but how long the full evacuation will take remains uncertain.

I was reading a thread yesterday and cannot find it today. It was posted by Freeper rebel_???. Sorry, but I cannot remember the full name. He is stranded in Lebanon.

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...

Hello, Many of you know that FReeper Rebel_yell2 is stuck in his hotel in Beruit after the airstrikes. A request for any help or ideas on his situation was posted here. Just wanted to start a thread specifically for jokes, chit-chat, etc. to help lift his spirits, and to keep the original thread more open in case he needs to reach anyone.