DAMASCUS, 14 July 2006 — Saudi summer tourists in Syria are rethinking their leisure plans after Israeli forces attacked Lebanon.
“My family planned a trip to Latakia through a travel agent and paid for it,” said Sawsan Hassan, a summer visitor of Damascus. The family canceled the side-trip yesterday and is watching the news of Israel’s attacks into Lebanon. “Peace of mind and security are more expensive than anything else.”
Meanwhile, tourists have begun moving across the border into Syria after Israeli warplanes attacked and shut down Rafik Al-Hariri International Airport in southern Beirut. The airport shutdown has left many Arab tourists stranded in the besieged city.
With Israeli ground, air and sea forces focused on Lebanon, the border with Syria has become the main route for people leaving Lebanon. Syrian officials have made preparations for easing the flow into their country. A Syrian official told Reuters the authorities were doing their best to help Lebanon with civilian logistics.
“Lebanon can expect to rely on Syria to counter the Israeli blockade. What we are confronting is greater than any bilateral tension,” the official said, referring to Syria and Lebanon’s soured relations.
Arab News called the Lebanese journalist of Al-Murakib Magazine, Saeed Hinnawi, who was checking the situation in the southern suburb of Beirut, which was shelled by Israel. “People here are proud of Hezbollah’s situation and are ready for any attack from Israel since the experience of war is familiar to the Lebanese citizens,” Hinnawi said, adding that streets were empty in Beirut yesterday except for people out buying food and gas.
Hinnawi estimated that the airport in Beirut would be closed until tomorrow. Schools and businesses will be closed at least until Monday.
Al-Jazeera Satellite Television reported yesterday that Israel was poised to bomb the Damascus-Beirut international road, which would force many of those fleeing the attack to take alternate routes.
“They can go from Tripoli in north Lebanon to Syria since the roads are open there,” said Hinnawi.
For better or worse, Israel’s incursion has brought more tourists to Syria, albeit most of them are transfixed more by the violence than by the scenic pine-topped mountains and gentle coasts that draw people to the region in the summer.
Fawwaz Assadieh, owner of Assadiyeh Shop for Arabian Sweets in Damascus, told Arab News yesterday that Saudi customers who had just arrived from Lebanon filled his shop.
“Saudi summer visitors who flew from their country to Beirut have changed their direction, left Beirut and came to Syria and its resorts,” said Assadieh.
Nadia Hashim, a 50-year-old Saudi, said she was ill at ease about the uncertainty of what will happen. “We are not used to the war situations unlike the Lebanese,” said Nadia.
Hinnawi likened the Arab-Israeli conflict to sport. “What is happening resembles a football game,” said Hinnawi. “Each action from Israel has a reaction from Hezbollah and vice versa.”
In this most recent match, however, it’s uncertain when or if a referee will be coming in to issue anyone a red card.
