Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Thousands of Lebanon Evacuees Arrive in Cyprus; Israeli Airstrikes on Beirut Continue

Aired July 20, 2006 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Late now in southern Lebanon, and fighting is flaring up again.
Here's what we know at this point. Israeli military units are inside Lebanon. We're hearing about clashes, at least one tank destroyed, at least six Israeli casualties, though it's unclear whether anyone is dead -- no word on Hezbollah casualties.

The U.N. not taking sides -- Kofi Annan lays the blame for hostilities squarely on the heads of Hezbollah and Israel. He urges the immediate release of three captive Israeli soldiers, but calls Israel's response to their kidnapping disproportionate.

Diplomats are not throwing in the towel -- a State Department spokesperson says Condoleezza Rice will travel to the Middle East, maybe as early as next week -- no word on exactly where or with whom she plans to meet.

CNN does have reporters all across the region. And LIVE FROM will have reporters throughout this program.

We're following new developments in Beirut.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is there -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF: Yes, Kyra.

Just about an hour ago, we heard three very large blasts coming from the direction of the southern suburbs. And, of course, it's the southern suburbs where Hezbollah has many of its offices and its facilities. And that's an area which has come under constant -- not constant, but very frequent Israeli airstrikes in the -- over the last nine days now.

Today, Kyra, I got a chance to go down south, to go to the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, which has really been the scene of some of the most intense bombardment. There, we went to one of the major hospitals, the Jabal Amel Hospital, where we saw dozens of wounded people, old people, children, men as well.

Now, the hospital staff there told us that they have yet to see any combatants being brought -- any wounded combatants brought to the hospital. And they compared the situation to 1996, during -- during Israel's Grapes of Wrath Operation, when, in fact, they did see lots of Hezbollah casualties. So, really, they are dealing with just that. And what they're doing is, they are ferrying many of the wounded who are in -- who are in stable condition up north to the city of Sidon, which is south of Beirut, and to Beirut itself, because they expect, in the coming days, many more casualties to be flooding into their wards.

Now, the southern part of Lebanon is very much a ghost town. Everywhere you go, there's almost nobody on the streets. The only people you really see are people racing out of the south, trying to get to the relative safety of Beirut -- many of them flying white cloth out their windows, hoping that that will identify their cars as being driven by noncombatants -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Let me ask you about the humanitarian crisis -- this is -- that is unfolding, expected to possibly get a lot bigger. What's your sense, Ben? You know this region. You know the people. A lot of the locals can't get out, while Americans are able to get out, or even dual citizens. What's your take on that? Are they getting the help that they need?

WEDEMAN: Well, it -- it's a very difficult situation, because, recently, Israel has begin -- begun to target trucks, fuel trucks, any large trucks, because they suspect that is how Hezbollah is transporting its rockets.

So many of these trucks which were also used to transport food, and water, and -- and gasoline, and that sort of thing simply are no longer on the road. So, those supplies aren't reaching them. The other problem is, of course, that many of the bridges between Beirut and Tyre, for instance, have been blown out. That's a road that, under normal -- normal circumstances, would take you just one hour.

Now, when I drove down there today, it took five hours. We had to drive way up in the mountains on some very narrow roads. And the sort of vehicles that would be needed to take vitally -- supplies down there simply can't go on those roads. And, of course, they are afraid of being targeted.

So, this is a crisis that is deepening. And relief officials, U.N. officials are extremely concerned about this -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ben Wedeman in Beirut -- thanks, Ben.

Eight thousand Europeans arrived in Cyprus overnight, as did about 1,000 Americans, with triple that number due today.

CNN's Chris Burns in Larnaca right now.

Chris, give us a sense for -- is it overcrowded? Does it seem like everybody can find a place to stay? And are those that are hitting there heading right home?

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a very good question, Kyra.

Over my shoulder is a French ferryboat there. That's going to be leaving, back over to Beirut, to pick up more people. And just a couple minutes ago, a Greek frigate, a Navy frigate, has come in with more -- hundreds more people. There are going to be thousands moving again through here tonight, among some seven ships coming, including the USS Nashville. It's supposed to be bringing in about 1,000 or so -- 1,200, I believe, Americans that were evacuated from the beach there in Beirut today by the Marines.

And we would like to talk to the Swiss Humanitarian Aid group, that is part of the Swiss government.

Markus Alber can tell us, perhaps give us a little bit of insight about the experience of processing people here. And, for some people, it's been actually a -- a -- an evacuation from hell.

We have heard stories about people taking -- having 10 minutes to pack over there, having just enough time to get on a ship that is full of flies, a floating refugee camp. I have heard from some people they get here. They -- they're told they are going to have to spend some -- a few days in -- in a hotel, or even maybe a hallway, until they can catch a plane, and it's going to cost them thousands of dollars to get on.

What have you heard? How common is this kind of experience?

MARKUS ALBER, SWISS HUMANITARIAN AID UNIT: Well, for sure, the people who had to leave Lebanon (INAUDIBLE) they had to really rush up. And, probably, it was probably not a very nice experience.

And, also, some of the boats, they had to lie on -- to stay on deck on -- on these boats. And I -- I reckon it was really a hard time for those people. So, we really try to get them as fast and smooth out of Larnaca to Switzerland.

BURNS: And some -- some must be...

ALBER: Yes.

BURNS: Some must be quite upset when they get here. And you say that you have some psychologists, actually, to deal with some of these people, to help them along, children especially, right?

ALBER: That's right. I mean, they really went -- they spent a few days on -- on -- on -- coming over here. And they had a hard time for this. And, well, it -- of course, and it's hot, and you don't have, probably, the right food. You want to change clothes. You have a lot of needs. And then you might behave a little bit differently...

(CROSSTALK)

BURNS: ... they are probably...

(CROSSTALK)

BURNS: They are probably happy to get to safer ground, too.

But you are expecting some people tonight on a U.N. ship that is coming overnight, people from south Lebanon. And that's a very different experience, isn't it? That's where the Israelis have been really pounding Hezbollah positions, and people caught in the crossfire.

ALBER: That's exactly what we have been told, too. And, yes, that's right. We -- and we are expecting six -- six, maybe up to 60. We are not quite sure about the figure, Swiss people who have gone through this -- this hell.

BURNS: How do you help them? How do you deal with them? What do you do?

ALBER: Well, we -- of course, we just -- we ask for the basic needs. We try to provide the basic needs. We have food. We have, for the children, Pampers.

We have, also, maybe some financial support, if this necessary. And, for sure, we try to bring them out of Larnaca as quick as possible to Switzerland. And that's probably the most important thing, to have them back home.

BURNS: Great.

(CROSSTALK)

BURNS: And Markus Alber, thank you very much.

It's going to be another very busy night for the rescue people here, as they receive perhaps thousands more people coming through, and, as I said, about 1,200 Americans, to arrive in the wee hours of the morning that will be processed through here, and, hopefully, most of them put on planes.

But there's also, actually, a fairgrounds with cots that have been set up by the U.S. government, where they can sleep until they can catch a plane -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Chris Burns in Cyprus -- thanks Chris.

BURNS: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: The U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force are all involved in evacuating Americans from Lebanon.

Let's get up an update now from CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

A lot of various assets, Jamie, and it keeps growing.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Kyra.

And more ships are going to arrive tomorrow, four more. At that point, they will have the sort of the full flotilla off the coast of Lebanon. The seaport is the main way people are getting out. But what about people who can't get to the seaport, because of the danger of traveling over land?

Well, Pentagon sources say there's a possibility some may have to come out by air.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE (voice-over): The U.S. is considering sending U.S. Marine helicopters deep into Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon to extract Americans, but only if they can't get safely to coastal evacuation points, according to a senior defense official.

It's one reason four ships from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, along with 1,200 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are en route to Lebanon, the three-star admiral in charge tells CNN.

REAR ADMIRAL PATRICK WALSH, U.S. 5TH FLEET COMMANDER: The idea is that we have the capability to extract -- extract people, no matter where their location is. And, without getting into a lot of detail, that's part of our planning effort now.

MCINTYRE: Publicly, U.S. commanders are hesitant to talk about what could be a risky mission flying over territory controlled by an organization labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. government.

The preferred option remains bussing people from the south to the port of Beirut, where they can transfer to ships. But, right now, that's not safe.

MAURA HARTY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSULAR AFFAIRS: As you have heard us say before, we are really -- we do not encourage people to -- to go over land on their own at this point.

MCINTYRE: Pentagon officials stress, the current plan is for everyone to leave Lebanon from the port of Beirut, but said no options are being ruled out entirely.

BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHAEL BARBERO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR REGIONAL OPERATIONS, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: We are also forming a task force, which gives the on-scene commander the absolute flexibility to execute his mission in a very dynamic situation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: And the State Department says it's not clear exactly how many Americans are in southern Lebanon. The numbers range between 300 and 500.

But they do -- would prefer to drive them north, so they can get on ships. But, as you heard in your interview with Admiral Walsh just last hour, he has got the capability to go in there and get them, if -- if he has to.

And, as for the risk, he told you, Kyra, that the risk isn't a problem, if U.S. lives are in jeopardy. He has got the capability.

PHILLIPS: That's a great point, Jamie. It's pretty amazing just to see the amount of forces going in there.

And you're right. I mean, you and I have talked about this. And they -- they have got to be thinking about Hezbollah. They have got to be thinking about hostile territory. But he has got his best Marines in place.

And I asked him, of course, about Naval Special Warfare, about SEALs, combatant crewmen. He didn't want to be specific, but it sounds like, to me, they have got everybody there to -- to add to pro -- the protective issue, if anything goes awry. Would you agree?

MCINTYRE: Yes.

And -- and the -- the main thing they want to do is, they want to do this in a safe and prudent and smart way. And the smartest way may be simply to wait until things get to the point where they can simply drive people up. That might be the easiest thing.

But one of the reasons they want to have all that capability offshore is that they have got total flexibility to go from basically no option to the high option, if they have to. And -- and, by tomorrow, they will pretty much have everything in place.

PHILLIPS: Yes, they are always prepared. That's for sure.

Jamie, thanks.

Breathing easy in Baltimore -- the first group of Americans evacuated from Lebanon is back in the USA. They are safe. They are rattled. And each has a uniquely harrowing story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADIB MANSOUR, EVACUATED FROM LEBANON: First of all, I wanted to thank the American government, and specifically the staff at the American Embassy in Beirut.

They were exemplary in the services and the way that they have approached the situation. As soon as we got to the gate, the first thing that they said, "You're safe."

And, as soon as I stepped into to the embassy ground, I did feel that -- that I was safe.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God. I'm so glad you're back. You see who I brought with me?

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's got to see you, too. I guess you can hug her, too.

RYAN SUMI, EVACUATED FROM LEBANON: You could hear everything going off. And you could see bombs and hear the planes. It was pretty intense. But -- and the helicopter ride over, it's quite an experience. JOSEPH DAHER, EVACUATED FROM LEBANON: Lebanon was really coming back, especially after the Syrians left in 2005.

(EXPLOSIONS)

DAHER: And it's just sad to see, you know, all this infrastructure being, you know, taken down again.

TAREK DIKA, EVACUATED FROM LEBANON: I was in south Beirut. I lived through four nights of bombing, intense bombing. We were there to take the kids to see the grandparents. They were very sick. And we lived through horror.

MARION BRANNON, EVACUATED FROM LEBANON: It's a lot. I can't describe. You know, it's -- Lebanon, beautiful. Like I say, they survived before, and they going to survive now. They're going to survive more every time. But that's not fair. Lebanon, they call it the Middle East, the pride of the Middle East. If they keep going this way, it's going to be the grave of the Middle East.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I want to tell you, the Lebanese people are the kindest, most hospitable people I have ever met in my life. And we have never been treated better in our life. And, you know, we -- we love this nation. And the Lebanese people do not want war. They do want to -- to -- you know, to have this evil force in their nation. And they're -- they are really thankful that maybe something has happened, so that, once and for all, they can build their nation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, some Americans are still stuck in Lebanon. We are going to hear from one family member straight ahead.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: CNN's Carol Lin has an eye on the CNN International Desk and various Mideast television stations, as well as all your e- mails and pictures.

Carol, I know you have been talking with a lot of people overseas.

CAROL LIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You bet. And we are still monitoring some conversations between families, both here and the -- and the war zone, both in Israel and in Lebanon.

And we are taking a look at some pictures, some images that are utterly fascinating, Kyra. We found this on "The Washington Post" Web site, wanted to bring you into, literally, a 360-degree view of -- of some of the devastation, this a picture on TheWashingtonPost.com taken by their photographer Travis Fox -- this, a Beirut bridge destroyed by airstrikes.

Now, watch this, as he was able to shoot these images with a special tripod head that took about eight shots total. And then his software managed to stitch the image together, so that we can show you that -- the totality of one of these Israeli airstrikes on this Beirut bridge.

Also want to show you some other pictures that he took here -- this of a -- a parking lot. You didn't want your car here. There's virtually nothing left. We can see some rem -- remnants of trucks, some buildings in the background. Look at this. This appears to be some kind of, you know, con -- construction crane that collapsed after the -- the warplanes struck in this neighborhood -- and, then, here, images of these pictures, these -- these evacuees here.

It looks like they are in some kind of a school building courtyard. You see their bags packed. Some people are -- some folks are sleeping. Others are smoking -- others here, what appears to be a mother comforting her child, and children laughing, Kyra.

Now, over here, this was also inside a classroom. And you -- you just see this mother -- I assume it's their mother -- just pondering what her situation, her next situation may be -- and her little boy here just sound asleep on a mattress on the floor, another trying to get some shut-eye, as there are also others inside this classroom.

We have been hearing from people, Kyra, who say that their loved ones are -- are holed up in these schools in southern Lebanon. And they are wondering what they are going to do next, many of them Americans.

Now, here, you get a view of -- let me see if I can adjust this, so you can see it a little bit better. This man with the weapon is an official from the -- a security officer. And this is what's left of part of an interior -- the Interior Ministry in Beirut.

And you can take a look at this, you know, as they examined what used to be the ceiling, and the wires, the cabling.

And just, Kyra, the -- the expression on these people's faces just really pulls you into the story, as they -- just the uncertainty overtakes them -- some of the damage there, images...

PHILLIPS: You said that's one of the -- the...

LIN: ... from Travis Fox.

PHILLIPS: ... Lebanese government buildings?

LIN: Yes...

PHILLIPS: Is that what...

LIN: ... the Interior Ministry building.

PHILLIPS: Wow.

LIN: Look at that. That's what's left -- and, then, a view to the outside. Look at this, the ceiling right here. PHILLIPS: And that just...

LIN: Collapsed.

PHILLIPS: Well, and that -- that, of course, raises the question of, why are they damaging this building? Obviously, Hezbollah part of the legitimate government, but what gave them the intel to do this? I mean, were there Hezbollah operatives in this building? Were they -- did they mean to hit this building? It definitely leads to more questions about why here and who was inside.

LIN: Well, Kyra, we are hearing from family members who say that Americans and their own family members are holed up in some of these buildings that are being shelled right now.

You know, Paula Hancocks has been reporting from the Israeli forces' position, close to the Lebanese border. And she says that they have specific intelligence that they have gathered over the last six years. But family members are saying, why are you bombing schools? Why are government buildings being hit, or private homes?

So, as we hear from both sides of the story, a lot of confusion on the ground, and a lot of desperation, as people are trying to reconnect with their families that are still stuck in this war zone.

PHILLIPS: All right, Carol Lin, appreciate the images. We will keep checking in with you.

Well, we have heard the stories about Americans stuck in Lebanon.

And my next guests are living that painful drama. And it's been a long week for Andy Sheikali. He's with me here in Atlanta. And his wife, Fadia, is in Lebanon, along with their four children and three other relatives.

She joins us on the phone from outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

And, Fadia, why don't I just start with you?

No doubt you are breathing a big sigh of relief right now.

FADIA SHEIKALI, AMERICAN TRAPPED IN LEBANON: Yes. Yes. I am relieved.

You know, after being stuck in the -- in south of Lebanon for seven days, staying in a warehouse with my four kids, and my two nephews, and my sister-in-law, we -- really, we have been through a lot. We didn't have a shower. We were drinking filthy water. And my son (INAUDIBLE) he was running a high fever. There is no doctors around, or not even a pharmacy to take him to get medication for him.

PHILLIPS: Are your kids OK now?

F. SHEIKALI: Yes, they are fine. Just last -- south of Lebanon, last night, we took big risk, because we tried to call the embassy too many times. And there was no help from them at all. The only thing they was telling us, you need to get on your own. We can't help you. If you want to come down to Beirut, you are on your own. We cannot get you out.

And we waited and waited, and there was no help from them.

PHILLIPS: So, how did...

(CROSSTALK)

F. SHEIKALI: Yes.

PHILLIPS: How did you finally get there, Fadia?

F. SHEIKALI: Well, what happened, we -- I told my sister-in-law, that's it. We can't wait any more, because the kids getting very scared.

And we called just, you know, two taxis. And we paid them a lot of money. And we told them, we need to leave. And they came. And it was 10:00 last night when we left the south of Lebanon. It was very (AUDIO GAP) for us. It was 50-50. And we said, that's it. We going to leave.

And we left. There was not -- no one on the road. We were the only two cars, OK? It was very, very (AUDIO GAP) And the kids were very scared. And we thought we were going to be bombed any minute, you know? But thank God, you know, we get to Beirut safe.

And, then, today, we went down to the embassy. And we -- they told us, you know, you have to register. And we told them, you know, we came from south of Lebanon. That's what (AUDIO GAP) told us to do. And when we get down, we thought, they are going to help us. They are going to do something, because we had been stuck for seven days up there. And the only thing they told us, you know, we can't do anything now. You have -- we -- we need just telephone number from you (AUDIO GAP) we can call you.

It -- it might take three to four days, OK, until you hear from us.

PHILLIPS: Well, Fadia, this...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Fadia, this is what I think is amazing...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: ... is that you took it on yourself, as a mom, an extremely strong woman. And I have got to ask your husband, Andy, about this.

I mean, that -- you are probably sitting back, going, that's my wife. She's going to do whatever she has got to do to get the boys out of there. This must have been just heart-wrenching for you to -- to be talking to her, and -- and not know what to do.

ANDY SHEIKALI, FAMILY TRAPPED IN LEBANON: I will tell you, this is the hardest and the most difficult decision I have got to make in my whole -- that I have made my whole life.

I mean, here, I -- I knew that it's a 50-50. I had to roll the dice, and I have to -- we talked. You know, I called her on the phone. And I says, listen, sweetheart, we have to make a decision. I understand it's very hard for you and me and the kids. But we have to make that decision. And...

PHILLIPS: Did you talk with the taxi drivers, or was it only Fadia?

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Did you get on the phone and negotiate with these guys?

A. SHEIKALI: Yes, we did. I told her to find out what they want. And they were asking for -- for -- money for -- because they were two taxis.

PHILLIPS: Do you mind if I ask how much it cost?

A. SHEIKALI: It was $1,600, each car.

PHILLIPS: Wow.

(CROSSTALK)

A. SHEIKALI: So, there's $3,200.

And we said, you know...

PHILLIPS: How did you know these were right guys? How did you know that -- that they were going to be trustworthy if you gave them the money?

A. SHEIKALI: Well, they were referred by friends, same thing.

You know, we had a -- we had a friend that called another friend, that said, listen, I have some local guys that can do it. And they know the back roads. But you -- you got to understand -- even the friend was so scared. He says, I really don't want to tell you this, that I can help, but I am afraid, because, if something happens, I will take this to my grave, if something happened to your family.

But you have got to make the move, Andy. It's 50-50. You have got to make the move. And they are going to ask for, you know, money.

And I says, I don't care what they ask for.

And we had to make -- it's a very hard decision. And... PHILLIPS: Well, let me ask you. You made the decision, Fadia. Once you were in those taxicabs, you had the boys. You were talking to the drivers. I mean, thank goodness you speak the language. This is your homeland. Did you feel good about these taxi drivers?

F. SHEIKALI: Yes. They were really nice. They were talking to me and telling me, don't worry. We're going to get you safe. Don't worry about anything.

But the only thing I want to be (AUDIO GAP) I was -- like, my eyes was closed in the car. I told my kids just to pray. That's the only thing I wanted to do, just to pray. Don't look around. Don't think of anything, just to pray that we are going to get safe to Beirut, and that we are going to go home. We going to -- you're going to be with dad, with your friends.

And we're going to be -- that's the only thing, that the road felt too long for us, because we were very scared. And it was very dark, and, you know -- and just was bombing all over. And we thought, that's it.

PHILLIPS: Fadia, anything...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: ... anything you want to say to Andy right now? I know you have been -- it's -- it's not always been easy to communicate, but he's here with us. And he obviously can hear you. And I know he loves hearing your voice. Anything you want to say to him?

F. SHEIKALI: Well, just I want to tell him that we love him so much, and we miss him. And I can't wait until we -- we -- we be home.

We want to be home, really, you know? But the thing, like, the embassy here is not, like, helping us much. Even after, when we went today, they told us, you need to (AUDIO GAP) tomorrow, 5:00 in the morning, waiting in line, OK, in front of the boat. We might get in. We might not.

Even if we get to the line, and if they don't have our names on the list, they are going to not let us in -- in the boat, they said.

PHILLIPS: What do you want to say to...

(CROSSTALK)

F. SHEIKALI: And, you know, I understand, you know, there are -- there are thousands...

A. SHEIKALI: Fadia...

F. SHEIKALI: ... of people.

Yes.

A. SHEIKALI: Fadia, I -- I...

F. SHEIKALI: Yes.

A. SHEIKALI: You know, I talked to Senator Isakson's office, been with me every day. And just about an hour-and-a-half ago, Andrew (ph), from the senator's office, called me, and said he is trying his best to help us expedite your departure.

He has been -- he talked to the State Department. They sent messages to the embassy. And he said he's trying his best to expedite your departure. And we -- you got to be patient, sweetheart. You got to be patient. And things -- you -- you are going to come home. Just -- we went through the hardest part, so, just be patient.

F. SHEIKALI: Yes. I know. That's what we are trying, you know? But we really need to be out of here. We're -- we're -- you know, we are still scared, but we need to be out. The boys really want to go home.

PHILLIPS: Fadia, we will definitely stay on top of this. We will be talking to you throughout the whole way, making sure, indeed, that happens.

And I just got to ask, as soon as they touch ground, what are you going to do? Are you cooking dinner?

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Are you throwing a party?

A. SHEIKALI: I don't know. I...

(LAUGHTER)

A. SHEIKALI: I have -- I will tell you one thing, Kyra. I mean, I think this happened.

It's true we got -- we hired two local drivers. But, I mean, we had a lot of people pray for us. I mean, in Peachtree City alone, I was overwhelmed with the support from so many friends and from north Atlanta, from -- my -- my -- I have four boys, and they all play sports. And...

PHILLIPS: I can imagine everybody thinking about them and...

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: ... wanting everybody home.

A. SHEIKALI: That's right. So, I had a lot of -- and I think the prayers of a lot of people got my family to the embassy safe.

PHILLIPS: Well, I know Peachtree City is a -- a small, tight community. I can just imagine the homecoming.

Fadia, we will talk with you and the boys soon. F. SHEIKALI: OK. Thank you so much.

PHILLIPS: You're so welcome.

Andy, thank you so much for sharing your story.

A. SHEIKALI: Thank you so much...

PHILLIPS: I appreciate it.

A. SHEIKALI: ... for having me, and help get my family home.

And...

PHILLIPS: We will talk soon...

A. SHEIKALI: ... thank you so much.

PHILLIPS: ... absolutely.

Well, back in America, after a terrifying week in Lebanon, U.S. evacuees begin arriving at the Baltimore airport. We're going to have their stories as well -- straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com