U.S. Rescue Bogs Down in Lebanon

LATimes ^ | July 18, 2006 | Megan K. Stack

[rebel_yell2]

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.

[drlevy88]

Wonder why they can't simply bus them into Israel and then out through Tel Aviv?

Until the Hezzies are out of rockets or are smooshed, that wouldn't be very wise

[mtbopfuyn]

Wonder why they can't simply bus them into Israel and then out through Tel Aviv?

Sure, let's put a few thousand Americans on big slow targets and drive them right through the middle of the war zone.

[mtbopfuyn]

Fox is saying ships will be sailing daytime so as to avoid accidental missiles hits.Rut Row

Not to mention the not so accidental missiles. Even with a heavily armed escort, I'd still be shaking in my booties.

[drlevy88]

phfft reow

[Lunatic Fringe]

Some experts are saying this operation is bogged down. Still, others say that this operation is bogged down.

[mtbopfuyn]

FOX just said that this first load of passengers for the Orient Queen will be small and around only 60 people.

Sounds like "special" passengers.

[airborne]

Word is the IDF is clearing a 1 KM wide 'DMZ' on the border.

Glad to see you're still in one piece.

Of the 25,000 or so Americans in Lebanon, I've heard an estimate of 5,000 may want out.

Your ride should be there in a couple days.

Hang in there.

[OldFriend]

Ranting against our government is productive?

If he has in fact accomplished all that, what purpose then to carry on about how helpless he feels?

[Chuck54]

Hey, somebody's gotta get the blame. Fire a few messages off to the State Department, copy all the MSM, make sure someone mentions Bush's fault and viola.........you got a book deal when you get home.

Whining is not the answer.

[TankerKC]

You in Post 16. Pointing fingers doesn't get them/us out.

You in Post 23. ...the blame again lays at the feet of the State Dept...

Here's hoping you are out soon.

[stlnative]

Since all the ships are going back and forth between Beirut and Cyprus. I think if I was Rebel I would be trying to get on any of the large ships that are pulling people out. The Italian war ship will be going back in to get more people.

It could be at least another 24 hours or more before he could even get on the cruise ship that is being used for Americans.

[VeniVidiVici]

I can't think of a secure way out.

There is no secure way out. One of the hazards when traveling to that part of the world.

I have an Iranian friend that goes back to Iran from time to time. I keep telling him he's nuts.

I'd go on a tour/business over there as long as they'd let me carry firearm. Since that'll never happen I keep discovering America.

[Lunatic Fringe]

The French didn't get their citizens out on their own, they paid the Greeks to do it via a ferry that was already within a day's sailing distance of Beirut.

I sympathize with you, buddy. But the Swededs are slow getting there, so are the Brits, Dutch, and Canadians.. but all I hear on the news is how America is "SLOW" to evacuate their citizens.

Incidentally, I heard on the radio this morning that the U.S. is going to send a bill to citizens who need to be evacuated.

[Rain-maker]

FLOTILLA ON ITS WAY

The ferry commissioned by the United States, that can carry up to 1,000 people, left Cyprus on Tuesday morning and headed to the Lebanese coast and some of the 8,000 Americans registered as living in Lebanon were expected to board later in the day, a diplomatic source in Nicosia said.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060718/ts_nm/mideast_evacuation_dc

[stlnative]

I heard on the radio this morning that the U.S. is going to send a bill to citizens who need to be evacuated.

I heard that they will be charged for the ride to Cyprus and after they get to Cyprus they are on their own.

[fatima]

Me too.Lot's of prayers going out for these folks.I know of at least 10 family and friends most with Free Republic.They are updating privately on their situation.

[Echo Talon]

I guess so. :)

[Conservababe]

FOX just said that this first load of passengers for the Orient Queen will be small and around only 60 people.

The ship's personell said that they could take 1400 persons for the short trip. The 700 number that all the media is saying is their cruise trip capacity.

[tobyhill]

Anyone who travels outside the US territory, whether to a peaceful nation or not, is advised that they are under the laws of the foreign country when in their country and the US has limited guarantees with regards to protections.

[Rain-maker]

Nations mobilize for mass evacuations from Lebanon

 

World powers have deployed helicopters, warships, chartered ferries and buses to pluck tens of thousands of trapped foreigners from war-torn Lebanon in one of the biggest mass evacuations since World War II.

 

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