UAE evacuates hundreds through Syria

Beirut/Dubai: The UAE mission in Lebanon yesterday evacuated hundreds of people, an official told Gulf News.

Hamad Saeed Al Shamsi, a senior official at the UAE Embassy, told Gulf News 10 buses each carrying around 40-45 people had left for Syria.

"Our citizens are safe and we are doing our best to evacuate them." Five per cent of those evacuated by the mission on Monday were UAE citizens, while the rest were expatriates.

The embassies of other Gulf countries are also exerting every effort to evacuate thousands of their nationals and expatriates through Syria.

Sources in the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon said it has been asking its citizens to gather in Al Safeer Hotel in Roache area. "Hundreds of people have been evacuated and we are still working on moving others out of Lebanon through Syria," said the source.

Gulf News contacted the Qatari Embassy in Beirut, but no officials were available for comment. "They have not reported to the embassy today due to the situation," said a woman.

In Dubai, hundreds gathered at Dubai Media City to demonstrate against the Israeli military campaign. Signs showing graphic pictures of injured and dead children, asking "Measured response?" were held up by demonstrators along with others asking the world to "Stop the Israeli aggression; Stop the killing of children".