Worried family can't raise embassy over travel plans

Fadi Bouchaaya

A large New Zealand Lebanese family and their friends are struggling to make contact with the British Embassy in Beirut despite New Zealand Government assurances that will provide their safe route out of Lebanon.

Fadi Bouchaaya, who was in Beirut for his wedding, said the group of 14 adults and children from Papakura, Takanini and Hamilton were in limbo because the country's borders had effectively closed down.

Mr Bouchaaya said he was repeatedly trying to contact the British Embassy there but got no answer when he rang.

Although it was hard to get phone lines out, he had also been in touch with the New Zealand High Commission in London, which had so far not been able to advance the situation for them.

Mr Bouchaaya was further concerned because he had not been able to get travel documents for his new Lebanese wife Carla, but was assured by the London office that would not be a problem if they were evacuated suddenly.

He was also frustrated at not being able to get hold of any money other than Lebanese pounds, which were no use for travelling.

"We are just stuck here, listening to the news."

They were staying in northern Beirut, but English friends were caught in southern Lebanon where the bombing was taking place with no way of getting out.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed that Britain had agreed to help the 50 New Zealanders thought to be stranded in Lebanon, which is under heavy bombardment from Israeli forces.

Earlier reports that three New Zealanders, one pregnant, had already been evacuated were not correct and they remained in Lebanon.

A spokeswoman said Australia had also offered to help any New Zealanders but there were no formal evacuation plans.

The British Foreign Office said on its website that Beirut airport remained closed following Israeli air strikes.

There was also a naval blockade of all ports and the main Beirut-Damascus highway was closed.

Other roads out of Lebanon were either closed or unsafe for travel.

The British Embassy said on its website that it was deeply concerned about the safety of British nationals who were in Lebanon, but it was not advising people to leave.

"We are advising them to stay put, keep a low profile, exercise caution, keep in touch with the embassy and heed local advice. Please continue to monitor the website and listen to English language radio."

It advised British nationals to register with the embassy or through the Foreign Office in London (0044-20-7008-1500).

A rapid deployment team had arrived in Beirut to help British nationals and a military reconnaissance team to carry out detailed planning for a possible evacuation.

British nationals were advised to get ready for departure at short notice if the situation changed.

Already about 40 "very vulnerable British nationals" had been evacuated by military helicopter including women and children, and people who were ill.