US develops plan to help Americans leave Lebanon 1 hour, 19 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US State Department said it was working with the Pentagon on a plan to help US citizens depart Lebanon, most likely via Cyprus. In a message to an estimated 25,000 Americans in Lebanon, the State Department said it was working "around the clock" on the plan, amid escalating attacks between Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah movement and Israeli forces. "We are looking at how we might transport Americans to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, Americans can then board commercial aircraft for onward travel," the notice said. "Commercial airlines provide the safest and most efficient repatriation options to final destinations." Noting that US government transportation is not free, it said the State Department could provide repatriation loans to those in need.... <more> http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060715/pl_afp/mideastunrestlebanon
