The former Canadian ambassador to Lebanon warned that the situation in Lebanon, which appears worse than in 2006, could deteriorate seriously and people should leave the country while they still have the means.
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“Right now, the situation is different,” Louis de Lorimier explained. “It has been six months, if not more, since Ottawa warned Canadians to leave while they were still able to do so.”
According to him, the conflict between Israel and Lebanon in 2006 was completely different from the conflict that could erupt today, because at that time there was no warning, while now the population can still benefit from the fact that commercial flights are still operating.
“The nuance here that we have to make clear on the other hand, and it was the same in 2006, is that 99% of citizens are dual nationals in general, which means [des] A Lebanese Canadian. He added: “Often, these Lebanese, even though they are Canadian, no longer have many ties to Canada, and therefore they seek to remain in Lebanon as much as possible.”
Cyprus, a neighboring country separated from Lebanon by the Mediterranean Sea, may have already developed means to accommodate potential evacuees, the ambassador says. However, the situation appears worse than it was in 2006.
In 2006, Israel was “satisfied” with shelling near the border or in southern Lebanon. […] “It may be completely different this time because Hezbollah appears to have 150,000 rockets, some of which can hit anywhere in Israel, and that was not the case in 2006.”
The danger, according to Mr. de Lorimier, is that Hezbollah and Israel will start targeting major cities. “There, it will be a much more dangerous and much more destructive war.”
“It's better for people to leave while they still have the means because it's really terrible,” warned the man who in 2006 led the evacuation of many Canadians from Beirut, the Lebanese capital.
