With Israel the ONLY threat to Lebanese occupants, Bush plans US bug-out

[bigtree]

instead of insisting Israel stop killing Lebanese. It's not like Hizbollah is going to start shelling Lebanon. Israel is the threat there. We're fleeing the bombs of a supposed ally. Amazing.

U.S. plans 'air bridge' out of Lebanon, officials say
Americans urged to register with State Department

Saturday, July 15, 2006; Posted: 1:08 p.m. EDT (17:08 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Americans could be evacuated from Lebanon using an "air bridge" of fast-moving aircraft, U.S. military officials said Saturday.

Pentagon and U.S. State Department officials are working on contingency plans to get about 25,000 people out of Lebanon to escape Israel's military campaign, launched after two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hezbollah guerrillas.

An "air bridge" is the term for planes that would move in swiftly and ferry people out in quick succession.

Planners are focusing on flying people from the Lebanese capital of Beirut to the island of Cyprus, officials said.

But the U.S. military is also looking at other options for any evacuation, considering whether it is possible to dock ships or land aircraft in Beirut, given the large number of Hezbollah militants there.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/15/lebanon.us.citizens/index.html

[MADem]

1. Will they helo in a bunch of Seabees to first fix the runway, then?

The Israeli bombing of the Beirut International Airport rendered it unusable, and has complicated planning.

"As of the morning of July 15, we are looking at how we might transport Americans to Cyprus," the State Department said Saturday.

[cantstandbush]

2. Get a grip! Israel doesn't care about American lives. nt

[charlie]

3. And the privelege of fleeing

will cost you:

The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/15/lebanon.advisory/index.html

[robinlynne]

5. amazing. and how many billions have disappeared from the defense dept

monies? and katrina?

[Solo_in_MD]

4. There is no requirement to remove them

and in place they might be a minor deterrent to unrestricted bombing by the IAF