Aussies trapped in Beirut as Israel declares war

Aussies trapped in Beirut as Israel declares war
Friday Jul 14 11:36 AEST
By ninemsn staff and wires

Australians trying to flee war-stricken Lebanon are trapped as reports on the numbers of casualities from the Iraeli strikes reach 17 for the bombing of Hezbollah offices alone.
At least two people were killed and 17 wounded in predawn Israeli air strikes on Hizbollah's southern Beirut stronghold on Friday, the Lebanese guerrilla group's Al-Manar Television said.
The combined effect of Israeli strikes on Beirut, the naval blockade and stikes on the main highway has literally grounded Australians trying to flee the volatile area.

The escalating tension has put the 20,000 Australians in the country directly in harm's way.
At least 55 civilians in Lebanon had already been killed since Israel began its reprisal raids for the capture of two soldiers by Hizbollah on Wednesday.
Israel has declared war on Lebanon and is ordering more strikes against the country.
Israeli planes targeted the Beirut neighbourhood housing the headquarters of the Hizbollah militant group in a pre-dawn raid, as well as the Jiyyeh power station outside the city, shortly after a series of raids forced the closure of the main highway linking Beirut to Damascus.
Just over 2,200 Australians are registered with the Australian embassy in Beirut, which is temporarily closed.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered more intense strikes on Lebanon, ratcheting up retaliation against Hizbollah guerrillas following the capture of two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.
Israel has begun a naval blockade of Lebanese ports and has bombed Beirut airport as well as a power station.
Prime Minister John Howard has called for both sides to show restraint and end the violence.
But he said a big problem could be the future of Lebanon's government.
"For years and years it's had governments or it's engaged in compromises which have just enabled the Hizbollah, which appears to be directed out of and inspired by Syria, to run amok," he told Southern Cross radio.
"One of the worries in all of what is happening at the moment is that the present Lebanese government, weak though it may be, could fall and be replaced by a government even more heavily under the influence of Syria, as was the previous government in the Lebanon.
"Hizbollah would have an even stronger hold on the support and acquiescence of the Lebanese government."
Mr Howard said Israel's reaction to the Hizbollah raids was justified, but there were much broader considerations for achieving peace in the region.
"We will never have lasting peace in that area until two things happen - that there is a full and unconditional acceptance by other countries of Israel's right to exist behind secure and defensible boundaries and that she is free of terrorist attacks," he said.
"And of course that there's a recommitment to the emergence of an independent Palestinian state."
Mr Howard said while he was a supporter of the state of Israel, he was not an "uncritical friend".
However, he stopped short of saying Israel had overreacted.
"I want both sides to exercise restraint," he said.
A caller to the radio program told Mr Howard he was concerned for the safety of his wife and three children who were in Lebanon.
"They're in east Beirut," said the caller, identified only as John.
"They were supposed to come back on the 20th of next month ... now everything's blockaded."
He said he had been in touch with them and they were safe, but he was worried about the escalating violence.
Mr Howard urged any Australians with family or friends in Lebanon to contact them directly or ring DFAT on 1300 555 135.
An Australian dance troupe stranded in Lebanon by the bombing of Beirut airport has been told by Australian authorities to stay put in its hotel in the Lebanese capital.
The Sydney-based Armenian dance group of 43 performers, travelling with family and friends, arrived in Beirut from Syria two days ago.
The group left Sydney three weeks ago and performed for two weeks in Armenia before spending three days in Syria.
Troupe spokesman Joseph Diodarty said the group could not see or hear the effects of any of the attacks from their hotel, 30 minutes drive from the airport.
DFAT officials have been in contact with the group and advised them to stay at their hotel and not move about the city, he said.
"For two days at least, until there's news from the airport whether they are ready to go or not," Mr Diodarty told ABC Radio.
The group had believed they would be able to leave Lebanon while hostilities were confined to southern Lebanon.
But when the group discovered that three runways at the airport had been bombed they started to worry.
"We all just sort of thought, 'OK, how are we going to get out of here?'," Mr Diodarty said.
The group made inquiries about travelling overland to Syria but were told the border was closed.
"There's no way we can travel to any bordering country either by train, especially by plane, or bus or car," Mr Diodarty said.
"It's left us stranded ... .
"We'll just see how we go in the next couple of days."
DFAT said the Beirut airport was likely to remain closed for at least another 48 hours, with a land crossing into Syria currently the only way out.
"We are currently advising Australians to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel," a DFAT spokeswoman said.
"Australians who nevertheless decide to depart should contact their travel operator for advice for onward travel.
"Roads are heavily congested and air and sea departure options are not available at this time."