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
To: NonValueAdded
I have been in contact with the State Department. They suggest I "hunker down" until further notice. Thanks a lot! I have internet phone service to the U.S., I'm safe in a Beirut hotel for now, but I was supposed to return home tomorrow and now I'm stranded until only God knows when. Perhaps I can sign on as a stringer for Fox News?
55 posted on 07/13/2006 3:58:08 PM EDT by rebel_yell2
works for the Impossible Mission Force? Can't Tom Cruise help? (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Hey Reb, fill the bathtub with water. And any other containers you might have.
I'm not kidding.
Stay safe rebel_yell2.
what did I tell ya.....
Not to butt in, but be careful what you post here about U.S. resources moving citizens, okay?
Eyes, you know?
And grab all the IMF cash you can real quicklike!
Glad to hear he's safe for now. I pray he's safe at home soon.
Someone should let him know at some point that taking out the airport was a strategic necessity.
Take really good notes and pictures. For the book later. Seriously, be very safe. We want to hear about your experiences from the safety of your own home.
Damascus airport could be next, maybe that is why you are being cautioned to stay put instead of wading further into danger (Syria) only to get stuck there instead of Beirut?
Prayers for your safety.
Bombing the airport may have been one means of keeping Israeli kidnap victims from going to Iran.
Find a 5 star hotel where the Russians are they wouldn't mess with Russians.
Stay safe!!
An evacuation may be needed.
3rd world ferries are not my favorite transportation, but I think there's one to Cyprus and one to Turkey from Beirut - if the Israelis haven't shut down the port yet.
I would suggest getting to the US or UK embassy in Beirut
I hope you know more about monetary matters than you do about the strategic value of the airport in Beirut. If the Israelis had left that airport open, it could be used by Syria (or another Islamofascist country) as a base of air operations against Israel.
I would suggest you contact the IMF for guidance, son. When they don't help you, call this number: 1-800-USDODNOW. Good luck,
Not really. The Lebanese army doesn't operate any fixed wing aircraft. They don't need runways for helicopters.
Israelis were hitting the Airport again today from Navy vessels. I believe they pretty well have the ports closed up.
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.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
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.
That's right! Get close to the Russkies.
I was just about to ping you to this...
"Hey Reb, fill the bathtub with water. And any other containers you might have. "
good suggestion. you may be stuck there for a few days.
the one i was stuckk in lasted three days. for some reason they stopped shooting/mortaring at night, then in the orning it was OK from sunrise to about 9am.
if they do that in beruit, try to buy some provisions, although they may be costly.
And stay on the Christian side of the Green Line.
Dear Alouette,
My prayers go up for the safety of your precious daughter and your dear grandchildren. May the Lord surround them with a hedge of protection wherever they go.
No offense but I don't think the Israelis care about your discomfort.
I didn't say that and it is rebel_yell2 who is trapped, not me. Try again.
You'd need to go through Syria to get to Turkey anyway. Lebanon borders only Syria and Israel, with the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
Short of hunkering down, I think the best bet would be to try to get to Amman via Damascus, if you can't be guaranteed a flight out of Damascus. I wouldn't want to get stranded in Damascus.
Call Jack B at BRoot 549 for instructions.
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