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Lebanon: the first French nationals to return to France
Lebanon: the first French nationals to return to France
(France 2)
The conflict continues in Lebanon, forcing thousands of people to flee the bombings. In France, the first nationals were able to return on the morning of Thursday October 3.
Thursday, October 3 in the morning, at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, one of the four flights from Beirut landed, marking the return of several French nationals living in Lebanon. Among them, more than 200 French people fleeing the tensions which continue to grow. The emotion was palpable when we got off the plane, especially for the families who were reunited after days of uncertainty and anxiety.
“I am happy to be reunited with my family, but too sad to leave Lebanon. Life there is too hard”testifies a Franco-Lebanese woman in tears. As bombings continue to rock Beirut, many are seeking to flee the country for safety. At Beirut airport, two additional flights were negotiated by the French embassy with the Lebanese company MEA to allow the return of these nationals.
The situation remains dramatic for many families, forced into heartbreaking separations. A British mother prepares to leave Lebanon with her children, but her husband, a Lebanese without a visa, is forced to stay there. “The children don’t understand why their father can’t come with us”she explains with emotion.
In a war context, airlines serving Beirut are becoming increasingly rare. Air France has suspended flights until at least October 8, further complicating attempts to leave for those seeking to flee the conflict.
Watch the full report in the video above.