Jordan Times
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Jordanians cut short holidays amid rising violence in Lebanon
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN — Hundreds of Jordanians vacationing in Lebanon are continuing to make their way back home in the wake of Israel’s military offensive on the country.
On Friday, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry sent buses to its embassy in Lebanon to secure the return of Jordanians wishing to leave the country, according to a source.
The source told The Jordan Times that around 200 Jordanians were brought home safely early Friday and that an additional three buses were dispatched on Saturday.
“We have been arranging the transportation of Jordanians who requested to return home in coordination with the Jordanian embassy in Lebanon since Friday,” the source said.
“Around 200 Jordanians returned safely early Friday morning and an additional group are expected to arrive here late Saturday,” the source added.
Thousands of tourists have been scrambling to flee Lebanon since Israel launched its ground, sea and air attacks on the country early Wednesday.
Another convoy of four buses was on the way to Amman from Beirut on Saturday night, transporting 165 Jordanians, an authorised source from the Foreign Affairs Ministry told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, yesterday.
He said efforts would continue to “evacuate all citizens who wish to go back home,” adding that Jordan’s missions in the Lebanese capital and Damascus are working to secure a safe return for these nationals.
The only means of leaving the country is currently by road through the Masnaa border crossing in Syria after Israel imposed an air and sea blockade. Israel has also bombed the main Beirut — Damascus highway.
The situation has prompted a frantic search by tourists for taxis and buses, as well as pressure on their respective embassies to repatriate them.
Many Jordanians have evacuated the country by hiring private cars and taxis.
The official said it is difficult to determine how many citizens currently remain in Lebanon but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating bus transportation for Jordanians with assistance from the Lebanese and Syrian embassies.
Due to a change in the route, the bus journey, which usually takes around 8 hours, now takes 10-11 hours.
The official said more buses would be dispatched on demand.
Lebanon, a popular holiday destination at this time of year, is currently packed with Gulf and European tourists.
Most of them have cut short their visit in response to the increasing violence.
According to news reports, more than 12,000 Gulf nationals, as well as Jordanian, Syrian and Iranian tourists, fled Lebanon through the Masnaa main crossing point leading to Syria on Friday.
Television reports showed hundreds of Arab and Gulf nationals crowding outside their respective embassies with their children and bags in tow.
Syrian officials said they had eased border procedures at the crossing, which is the last remaining exit out of the country.
Meanwhile, five Middle East Airline airbuses landed in Jordan on Friday for safe haven from potential air strikes by Israel.
Head of the Civil Aviation Authority Suleiman Obeidat said two planes landed in Marka Airport and three in Queen Alia International Airport.
The private plane of former Lebanese prime minister Najeeb Mikati was among the fleet.