Abidjan Fighting Delays Evacuation of Lebanese Amid Fears for their Lives
Lebanese expatriates in strife-torn Ivory Coast feared for their lives on Friday after reports of heavy fighting near strongman Laurent Gbagbo's residence and presidential palace in Abidjan where there are 20,000 Lebanese.
Gunmen have looted the shops and businesses belonging to Lebanese in several cities, Beirut media reported. But Ambassador Ali Ajami confirmed to Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami that the more than 50,000 Lebanese in the African country were so far safe.
Al-Shami told As Safir newspaper that those wishing to return to Lebanon “could come at the expense of the Lebanese government.” He stressed the importance of “guaranteeing the safety of the members of the Lebanese community” in the African country.
However, the latest fighting in Abidjan delayed a Middle East Airlines flight to the city until 3:00 am Saturday. The plane with 240 seats was scheduled to head to the Ivory Coast at 8:30 am Friday to bring back Lebanese escaping violence.
MEA chairman Mohammed Hout told Voice of Lebanon radio that “planes are ready to head to Abidjan any time but the security situation is preventing such a step.”
He stressed that only a few hundred Lebanese want to return to their home country.
Fighters of recognized leader Alassane Ouattara have in two days seized the political capital Yamoussoukro and the world's biggest cocoa exporting port of San Pedro, as the United Nations slapped fresh sanctions on Gbagbo and called for him to cede power, which he has held since 2000.
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