All flights to Beirut Cancelled
May 8, 2008, 5:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
All flights to Beirut Cancelled
Due to the unfortunate events over the past 36 hours (what started out as a strike has turned into an "us" vs "them" fiasco), all flights to and from Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport have been cancelled until further notice.
It's getting ugly folks... Will keep you posted for sure...
It's getting ugly folks... Will keep you posted for sure...
May 8, 2008, 12:51 pm
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,753
That's very sad news, BEYflyer. I hope that you and your family stay safe.
Here is an article about the violence for those wanting information.
Here is an article about the violence for those wanting information.
May 10, 2008, 2:53 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: UK
Programs: reformed ex basic Member
Posts: 3,148
No change yet
Hezbollah and their allies now effectively control the Airport and West Beirut. A number of TV Stations are now off air. Street fighting was bad, but calmer now..and I never want to hear machine gun fire and RPG's again, ever, the sound of death is truly horrific.
So we are heading into the next stage of political and millitary deadlock. Most of us who can are out of the city up in the hills trying to sit this out. Some have got to Syria, but it is not an easy journey as various factions control roads.
Keep watching the news folks, this is more interesting that Obama/Clinton for sure.
So we are heading into the next stage of political and millitary deadlock. Most of us who can are out of the city up in the hills trying to sit this out. Some have got to Syria, but it is not an easy journey as various factions control roads.
Keep watching the news folks, this is more interesting that Obama/Clinton for sure.
May 10, 2008, 3:25 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
GK pretty much sums it up. Beirut (most of West Beirut that is) is much calmer today and getting around is easier. The army is in control of most "trouble" areas but that doesn't mean that the situation is under control. Clearly Hizbollah and Amal groups can easily overtake the army. And the army is trying hard not to get dragged into this fight. Keeping our fingers crossed.
May 12, 2008, 4:56 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Skyteam E+, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,032
I had a ticket for Beirut on 11th, but the flight were suspended, of course.
Crossing my fingers for all you in Beirut, and hoping this will be over now. It's horrible and unacceptable!
May 13, 2008, 12:42 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
Wish I could give you a date; really no idea. One minute you think everything is going to be okay and then someone holds a press conference and it's back to square one. Never really understood politics in this country (or politicians)... They (as in politicians) are either really, REALLY dumb or there is another agenda being played out here that is beyond their control. I have no other way of explaining how they (the same so called "politicians") would allow the country to be dragged back to the edge of civil war...yet again.
May 17, 2008, 1:38 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
YES YES... Of course... Everything is back to normal. I say that because traffic is once again a nightmare 
Funny you should mention tourists Dovster. A few days after the fighting started, I was out and about on Hamra street (just looking around) and saw a good number of tourists walking around enjoying the sunshine (or probably looking for a way out of the city 
). Our beloved leaders are all in Qatar at the moment trying to hammer out an agreement; hoping for the best.
Funny you should mention tourists Dovster. A few days after the fighting started, I was out and about on Hamra street (just looking around) and saw a good number of tourists walking around enjoying the sunshine (or probably looking for a way out of the city ). Our beloved leaders are all in Qatar at the moment trying to hammer out an agreement; hoping for the best.