Ottawa didn't do enough, returnees say
EDMONTON - Family members rejoiced in the Edmonton International Airport on Thursday night as they welcomed relatives returning from Lebanon.
But even as they expressed joy and relief, they had bitter words for how the Canadian government has handled the situation, both at home and abroad.
Fayed Saraya left to visit relatives in the town of Kfarkouk in the Bekaa Valley on June 2. About five days ago, he found a cab to drive him through the closed roads to the Syrian border.
Along the way, he saw bombs falling on the road.
"It's very dangerous," Saraya said. "But the situation was getting so bad, I knew I had to get out. I am very concerned about my family (in Lebanon.) People are feeling very scared. Nothing is working there anymore.
"All they do is look for a little bit of food to store away in case the war goes on for awhile -- food is getting scarce."
When he arrived in Syria, Saraya found chaos.
"It's overflowing," Saraya said. "They can't take that many people. They weren't prepared."
Saraya said people are taking advantage of the situation by charging different rates for a hotel room. He said some pay $500, while others pay only $200.
Fayed Saraya hadn't seen his wife or children for two months.
His wife, Seham, has been waiting anxiously for days.
"He took a risk, because he wanted to come home so badly," said Seham. "When he phoned me from Toronto, I didn't believe it. I'm so glad he's home."
"I found out that we have the worse embassy of them all," Saraya said. "I tried to phone so many times. If you do get through, it's busy. You leave a message, they never phone you back. You go to see them, they don't even talk to you -- they turn you away at the door."
Saraya said the French opened the doors of the embassy to their citizens. He watched the television constantly, but all he saw was news from other countries, like Britain, Australia and Brazil. Nothing from Canada.
"It's not good for us," Saraya said. "Everyone usually looks to Canada, but in this situation it was completely the opposite."
Nabil Abdulgany waited for his wife, Rachelle, and their two sons.
"It was the worst experience of my life, the last 10 days," Abdulgany said. "I feel happy, so happy that they're home."
His daughter, Reema Abdulgany, said her family was able to get home because her father had a contact who arranged their flight out of Syria.
"They risked their lives to get to the Syrian border. I can't believe they made it alive," Reema said. "My dad had a contact there. If he didn't know someone, it would have taken weeks."
But even while the families are relieved to have their relatives safely home, they expressed bitter disappointment with the way the Canadian government has handled the situation.
"I just have to say I'm very disappointed in the Canadian government," Reema said. "We just spoke to somebody who went to the ships yesterday. They risked their lives to go to Beirut, and then they were told to turn around and go home, as there are planes flying in the air, shooting people down. I feel so bad for the people still there."
"Canadians should find out the truth, and tell their politicians to do something," Saraya said. "If the government doesn't want to be involved politically, I can understand that. But at least look after their citizens and know where they are. I don't say they have to provide food for people, but get them out of there. Just get them out."
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