18 Lebanese Survivors of Indonesia Ferry Sinking Return to Beirut
Eighteen Lebanese survivors of the Indonesia ferry sinking returned to Lebanon on Sunday.
The survivors arrived at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport where they were received by a number of officials, including a number of politicians from the northern region of Akkar where the majority of the victims hail from.
One of the surviving asylum-seekers told MTV: “We fled Lebanon because we could no longer find jobs and a way to make a living, but the ferry capsized and we were forced to return to our country.”
“We call on the Lebanese state to cater to us and provide us with jobs,” he added, while revealing that the survivors had remained at sea for five days.
“We left Lebanon in search of a better way of life,” he continued.
Another survivor, Louay Baghdadi revealed that the asylum-seekers cooperated with an individual called Abu Saleh who promised them that he could offer them safe passage to Australia through Indonesia.
He revealed that Abu Saleh, who is in jail, conducts his operations from prison.
Asked by MTV why they sought illegal means to head to Australia, he replied: “We left Lebanon because of the situation here.”
He also did not rule out the possibility of repeating the attempt to leave Lebanon through illegal methods.
Ahead of their arrival, MP Hadi Hbeish said: “We are here to demonstrate that the Lebanese people are united when confronted with such tragedies.”
MP Ali Ammar added: “We are here in a show of support for the residents of Akkar.”
“We stress the need for unity in tackling all matters,” he added.
Also present was caretaker FM Adnan Mansour who said: “The government and the Lebanese embassy in Indonesia were quick to respond to the news of the sinking.”
Twenty-eight Lebanese asylum-seekers drowned in a boat sinking off Indonesia on September 27 as they sought to sail to Australia.
Many more are still feared missing.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said there were 68 Lebanese, including children, on board the ill-fated vessel and that 18 survived the ordeal while at least 29 were still missing.
Most of them hail from Akkar where thousands of Syrians have sought refuge from the 30-month conflict that has wracked their country.
Media reports said that the asylum-seekers were the victims of people smugglers who prey on them and Syrian refugees seeking to better their lives.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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