Brits in Libya,flights home.

[Leekbrookgull]

Seems other countries are getting their people out,while our planes are still at Gatwick. Could only happen here.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

They've already had flights in today

 

[beorhthelm]

apparently Germans stuck there too, so not "only here". i think its tricky arranging planes to go into what is potentially a war zone. US no doubt have underwriten any loss and have a dozen F16s just outside of range in case it gets tasty. we dont have half a dozen carrier fleets so tread a little more carefully.

( no, we shouldnt have binned the harriers or carriers for exactly this sort of contingency... but there we are)

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Is it just me that believes if someone wishes to go and work in such places (normally avoiding tax etc) earning what is in effect danger money and usually lots of it, then why has their country of birth/origin have any duty of care for them. If they wish to leave then find a way themselves, maybe with the country's help but certainly do not demand it added to which expecting other people to possibly put their lives in danger to do so.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Piltdown,fair point & a fair few have said the same. However unless they were employed by the Libyain Govt as oppoesed for Shell/BP etc i think we owe them some help.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Piltdown,fair point & a fair few have said the same. However unless they were employed by the Libyain Govt as oppoesed for Shell/BP etc i think we owe them some help.

Not disagreeing with helping but its the demanding that irritates me. If they are employed, especially by one of the oil companies (mostly owned by the US, though they do not like to mention it, when BP suddenly becomes British again!) then surely it is firstly the responsibility of the employer to secure a safe passage. They should be grateful for any assistance as it being paid for by us and not ex-pats. The ex- usually means past, no longer etc etc

 

[The Maharajah of Sydney]

apparently Germans stuck there too, so not "only here". i think its tricky arranging planes to go into what is potentially a war zone. US no doubt have underwriten any loss and have a dozen F16s just outside of range in case it gets tasty. we dont have half a dozen carrier fleets so tread a little more carefully.

( no, we shouldnt have binned the harriers or carriers for exactly this sort of contingency... but there we are)

Our Australian government have chartered a ferry for stranded Oz citizens .
The Canadian govt are also assisting with flights out of there .

 

[Bones]

Seems other countries are getting their people out,while our planes are still at Gatwick. Could only happen here.

Our staff based in Tripoli flew home on Tuesday!

 

[Jesus Gul]

LibyanTimes | step ahead .. - Brighton architects get recession relief from Libya

There is apparently a Brighton/Libya link in the Architecture field...although I think these guys were having problems with the Libyans before the troubles.

We've got two bods in Libya who are now sat in Dubai.

 

[Peever]

Is it just me that believes if someone wishes to go and work in such places (normally avoiding tax etc) earning what is in effect danger money and usually lots of it, then why has their country of birth/origin have any duty of care for them. If they wish to leave then find a way themselves, maybe with the country's help but certainly do not demand it added to which expecting other people to possibly put their lives in danger to do so.

Canada went through a situation like this with Lebanon 2 or 3 years back, whenever it was. THe problem was the majority (something like 85%) of the people getting on the flights were people born and raised in Lebanon, moved to Canada for however many years, got their citizenship and moved back to Lebanon. Most hadnt been working in Canada for years, contributed to taxes etc and then our government spent millions to get them out for them all just to put brought righ back afterwards. Was some massive public outcry about this and since then our policuies on things have changed a fair bit. I understand where your coming from completly!

 

[The Spanish]

Is it just me that believes if someone wishes to go and work in such places (normally avoiding tax etc) earning what is in effect danger money and usually lots of it, then why has their country of birth/origin have any duty of care for them. If they wish to leave then find a way themselves, maybe with the country's help but certainly do not demand it added to which expecting other people to possibly put their lives in danger to do so.

haha yeah loads of tax free money that will end up in a large part in the UK economy. What about all the british tourists who start crying when they are stranded by a volcano after having spent two months salary in a foreign economy everyone feels sorry for them and demand we Do More.

Using your logic about money leaving the country we should shut all embassies and high commissions and anyone who ventures abroad and spends a copper coin on johnny foreigner should just fend for themselves. if you dont like the expat mentality just say so but there are plenty of others who you logic could extend to, but it doesnt suit.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

haha yeah loads of tax free money that will end up in a large part in the UK economy. What about all the british tourists who start crying when they are stranded by a volcano after having spent two months salary in a foreign economy everyone feels sorry for them and demand we Do More.

Using your logic about money leaving the country we should shut all embassies and high commissions and anyone who ventures abroad and spends a copper coin on johnny foreigner should just fend for themselves. if you dont like the expat mentality just say so but there are plenty of others who you logic could extend to, but it doesnt suit.

Embassies and High Commissions are primarily there for presence for the betterment of trade and this countries ideals. The fact that they will/can look after the countries subjects whilst visiting or residing in the foreign country is secondary.

But the point is would you go to Beirut on your yearly two week holiday, chances are no, but if where you did go, say Los Angeles, and there was an earthquake then yes the government does owe a duty to help (and only help) to get you into a safe place.

If you place yourself into a known area of danger then surely the responsibility resides with you.

I've worked abroad, mainly in the US as an outstation engineer for BA and accept that as it was my choice and that having assurances from my employer I was happy to go. On one occasion I worked in Bogata for three weeks, at the time I was single, no dependents, and the fact that we had our own armed guard I decided that the money on offer would enable me to buy my first home. A risk that now I certainly would not take. If something happened yes I might turn to the Embassy for help but I would not expect or demand for them to drop everything and come running.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Have we managed to get this man out yet ?

 

[Jesus Gul]

But the point is would you go to Beirut on your yearly two week holiday,

Beirut is actually very nice in parts as are the tourist/Christian bits of Lebanon (Brummana, Jounie, Byblos) - I visit twice a year for work but would politely decline now due to political situation. Beirut Intnl Airport is run by Hezbollah although the well stocked Duty Free is managed by an Irish guy!

 

[daveinprague]

Was the life in Libya considered life threatening a couple of weeks ago? Im not sure of the recent politics, but nothing ive heard in the last few years suggests that its a war zone etc....so dont really understand the comments about 'putting yourself in danger' by being there...

Id rather our military were involved in evacuating British citizens in this sort of scenario than wasting their lives in an American war in Afghanistan for example.

Ive always imagined that the British navy was there to protect British interests abroad....I consider British citizens...British interests.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Have we managed to get this man out yet ?

Which One ?

 

[happypig]

Have we managed to get this man out yet ?

Let's hope not...

 

[Lady Whistledown]

What if Abdelbaset Al Megrahi phoned up the Scottish parliament and said he'd quite like to come back now as it's a bit dangerous where he is? Do you think they'd book him a ticket?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Anyway, more flights due into LGW tonight, & the press are swarming all over Arrivals as we speak, haranguing bemused holidaymakers en route back from Chamonix and Magaluf to find out whether they've just come from Tripoli.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

What if Abdelbaset Al Megrahi phoned up the Scottish parliament and said he'd quite like to come back now as it's a bit dangerous where he is? Do you think they'd book him a ticket?

Sure,and while we are about it make him a chat show host with a weekend radio phone-in to boot !