Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
The teenagers took a 45-minute taxi with their mother Nadia Ayoub McCulloch, 51, from the eastern outskirts of the Lebanese capital to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, witnessing “debris everywhere” as a result of Israeli bombing .
Ms McCulloch traveled to the airport and had bought a ticket for the flight with her children as she hoped she would be able to get on the plane – but her family said she was turned away by officers as she did not does she have a UK passport or visa.
Her Scottish husband of 20 years, William McCulloch, 62, told PA: “I don’t understand it.
Undated family distribution of mother (left to right) Nadia Ayoub McCulloch, 51, with her Scottish husband of 20 years, William McCulloch, 62. (Image: William McCulloch/PA Wire)
“We paid for the three seats, she went to the airport, and was told she can’t get on the plane because she didn’t have a visa.
“Rebecca arranged everything and maybe she was told before she left the house (that Ms McCulloch wouldn’t be able to get on the plane), but she thought she was going to try because she wanted to go with the children, but she was told emphatically, no.”
Mr McCulloch said the couple had been evacuated with their son Thomas during the Lebanon war in 2006 and had “no problem at all”.
“But this time, I just… I don’t understand it,” he added.
Mr Hardie added: “It de-escalated quite quickly (in 2006) but of course, this time, it definitely looks like it’s not going to de-escalate anytime soon.”
Mr McCulloch, who works with the humanitarian organization Norwegian People’s Aid, is currently working to clear unexploded ordnance in Iraq.
He has a flight back to Beirut booked on October 18, where he will join his wife and then hopefully leave the country with her.
“I have no problems going back to Beirut – if something happens, something happens, but 100% I’m going back to my wife,” he said.
His son Mr Hardie said it was “a lot of pressure” and a “weight” off his shoulders to get his siblings home with him as they were both “worried” and the atmosphere was “full of tension” in Lebanon.
“Even when they announced the plane, there was nothing about a ceasefire or how they were going to get to the airport or anything… that was scary for them, because you don’t know when it’s going to happen.” the next bomb is going to hit,” he said. he said.
On his mother’s situation stuck in Lebanon, Mr Hardie said: “I’m a bit angry.
“She is alone because of the visa situation.
“My little sister spoke to someone on the phone, and she basically said that she can apply for a visa, but there’s no guarantee that she’ll get one, and there’s no guarantee how long it will be.
“They’ve been married for over 20 years – it’s not like they’ve been married for two or three years, they’ve been married for 20 years, and she can’t even be evacuated from a war. ”
Mr Hardie also criticized the cost of UK government flights out of Lebanon, at £350 per person.
“We’re not poor or anything but I still feel that if you’ve been evacuated from a war-torn country, there should have been more help,” he said.
“I think that’s surprising. Like, you get a text message, you click on a link, you go in, you sign your name, your passport number, and then at the end, it asks to you for £350.
“Maybe there are families over there who couldn’t afford that.”
Asked for his message to the UK government, he said: “Try to help more.
“I know there is a limited number of flights, I know they are carrying out more flights, but when we heard that at first, it said fly, one flight.
“How many people can go on a plane? 300? How many Brits are stuck there? It could be thousands.
“I think more needs to be done. I really do, I think charging people to evacuate is a low blow and the visa situation – they need some sort of emergency visa, or something they can do, until they can apply for a legal visa .”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has said: “FCDO continues to advise against any travel to Lebanon.
“If you are currently in Lebanon, we urge you to leave, while commercial options remain available.”
PA has contacted the FCDO for further comments on the family’s situation.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24631935.scot-voices-anger-family-evacuated-lebanon-without-mother/?ref=rss
