Jordan Times
Friday, July 28, 2006
Fourth aid plane arrives
in Beirut
Two more relief planes will arrive in the Lebanese capital today
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — A fourth Royal Jordanian Air Force plane
arrived at Beirut international airport Thursday loaded with humanitarian
assistance for the Lebanese people.
Meanwhile, two more aircraft are scheduled to arrive today as part of concerted
efforts by Jordan to ease the suffering of the Lebanese people, the Jordan News
Agency, Petra, reported on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) said the fourth aircraft was
loaded with seven tonnes of foodstuff and medical supplies provided by the JAF
and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation.
On arrival the assistance was immediately handed over to the higher relief
commission to be distributed to displaced citizens, according to the
spokesperson.
Around 150 Lebanese citizens seriously wounded by the Israeli bombardment were
expected to arrive in Amman for medical treatment.
The arrival of two more planes Friday brings the total number of relief aircraft
sent by Jordan to six.
The first three planes arrived on Wednesday in what was the first airlift of
urgently needed relief supplies to arrive in the country since Israel launched
its air, sea and land blockade two weeks ago.
In addition to medical supplies, the planes contained Royal Engineering Corps
teams charged with reopening Beirut’s airport after it was bombed by Israeli
warplanes, leaving huge craters in the runways.
On Wednesday, Lebanon’s Public Works Minister Mohammad Safadi welcomed the first
plane, saying: “It is the first plane to arrive at the airport since the start
of events... that will set up a field hospital.”
Jordanian General Mohammad Majali told Agence France-Presse that 200 medical
staff would work at the hospital, to be used for surgery and first aid.
Meanwhile, as part of the continued efforts by the country’s institutions,
societies and associations to support the Lebanese and Palestinians, Jordan
Television on Friday will run a telethon to raise money for relief supplies.
JTV Director General Feisal Shboul said the telethon is in line with His Majesty
King Abdullah’s efforts to alleviate suffering in the two neighbouring
countries.
The telethon will run from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, according to Shboul.