Canada scrambles to get thousands out of war zone

As I watch the escalation of violence in the Middle East occur by the hour, I pray for the safety of innocent Lebanese and Israeli civilians caught in the line of fire of missiles, rockets, artillery shells, and air strikes. It always hits closer to home when I personally know numerous people in Lebanon who are awaiting evacuation to safer places. As I write this at 8:30pm AST, I have just been watching live on CNN, Southern Beirut being pummeled by Israeli forces lighting up the night sky. So disturbing.

The Israeli forces in their battle with the extremist Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups are, in what they believe, defending their country from hostile actions by both groups. They are also operating under the idea that it is in their interests to enforce UN Resolution 1559 which calls for the Lebanese government to monitor and ensure the disarming of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese government and military has been unsuccessful, incapable, and in some respects unwilling to attempt full disarmament especially since it is fairly well-known that Syria and Iran are pulling the strings of Hezbollah and Hamas.

My biggest worry as that I truly don't see a positive end in sight anytime in the near future. As much as I believe that a cease-fire agreement is needed, I can't imagine Israel accepting that based on the belief that Hezbollah would not continue its barrage of northern Israel, Haifa, and possibly even reaching Tel Aviv. Hopefully some diplomatic progress can be made as result of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg and the recent UN Security Council talks but I fear it will get much worse before it gets better. Also troubling, is that the whole middle east region is a pot on the verge of boiling over in a big way, especially with the recent banter, or lack thereof, between Iran and the UN. Don't forget, we also have a little dispute and situation now on the back burner with North Korea, and although on back burner, it's still hot and cookin'.

I try desperately to see all sides in an argument or war but I really don't get it. Violence has never been a positive solution and always results in hurt, pain, and destruction. Life is so much better without fighting.

Below is an excerpt form an article in the Ottawa Citizen about the impending evacuation of Canadians in Lebanon. Let's hope it is successful and timely. Click below to read more..


Canada scrambles to get thousands out of war zone
But critics say plan to evacuate too little, too late

Janice Tibbetts, The Ottawa Citizen; with files from the Associated Press and the Canadian press.
Published: Monday, July 17, 2006

The federal government will remove Canadians from Lebanon by ship and possibly helicopter, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said yesterday soon after learning at least seven Canadians were killed and another three were critically injured.

The government was scrambling to work out the details as it faced criticism that it should have acted faster instead of mulling over evacuation prospects over the weekend while several other countries went ahead and lined up transportation to remove their citizens from a region caught in a conflict between Hezbollah militants and Israeli military forces.

Mr. MacKay said the government has hired vessels to pick up evacuees off the Lebanese coast, and was considering helicopters to airlift other Canadians.

There are an estimated 40,000 Canadians in Lebanon, but only 21,000 were registered with the embassy as of yesterday. The government will seek to remove everyone who wants to leave, he said. For more...click here