Lebanon evacuation race continues
Lebanon evacuation race continues
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Saturday, 22, Jul 2006 10:00
Nations around the world have put their military resources into getting their foreign nationals out of Lebanon as the situation in the region escalates.
About 5,000 US citizens are due to be evacuated into Turkey and Cyprus by the end of the weekend, with marines helping involved as part of the massive worldwide operation.
Denmark and Sweden have both evacuated nearly all of their citizens from Lebanon. Canada is struggling to brings its nationals to safety, however, with 4,000 expected be evacuated by today but another 30,000 Lebanese Canadians waiting for transport.
Australia has also sent troops to the region to rescue about 6,500 Australians, many dual citizens, from Lebanon. It is expected to charter up to six ships to ferry its citizens out, after losing rights to use a Turkish ship after another country offered a higher bid.
British troops have already evacuated about 2,800 people from Lebanon, taking British citizens to its military bases in Cyprus. A number of evacuees have already been returned to Britain.
But problems for the thousands of evacuees do not stop with them leaving the war zone. Cyprus is currently in the height of its summer season, which already sees thousands of sun-seekers flocking to its bars and beaches. The added influx of evacuees is placing a strain on its resources.
The country has criticised the international community for not giving it enough help in handling the influx of evacuees. It has called on EU countries to help it in moving the people to other city hubs and repatriate them.
"Up until now Cyprus has been basically left alone and unassisted in its effort to help so many thousands of people," Christodoulos Pashardes, a government spokesman, told Lebanon news.
"This astonishingly large number is already challenging our acknowledged success so far and testing our infrastructure and the ability of Cyprus to effectively respond to this serious humanitarian problem."