by Caline Malek
ABU DHABI // Emirati and Lebanese citizens in the UAE said they were saddened that conditions in the Levantine country had worsened to the point the UAE was compelled to impose a ban on travel to Lebanon. A previous travel warning was upgraded to a ban after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced it had cut the number of its diplomatic staff in Beirut.
Nevertheless, there were no disruptions on Wednesday to Beirut-bound flights from the UAE, according to FlyDubai, Etihad Airways and Emirates airline. “The travel advisory has been issued regarding travel to Lebanon for UAE nationals only,” said a FlyDubai spokesman. Passengers with existing bookings and scheduled to travel soon were urged by the airline to contact it.
Sara Al Nuaimi, a 33-year-old Emirati from Sharjah, said the ban would be difficult for people with Lebanese family members.
“My aunt is married to a Lebanese and we used to go a lot, until a few years ago when they sent out a warning,” Ms Al Nuaimi said. “My aunt and my cousins still go, and I would have loved to go whenever I wanted to but, until now, it’s not clear as to why there is a ban so I don’t know how dangerous it is. But it’s not easy for people with Lebanese family members.”
Sultan A, a 36-year-old from Al Ain, last travelled to Lebanon four years ago. “I’ve been wanting to travel there again since then, but they issued a warning so I decided not to go. With this ban, we won’t be allowed to go because it’s not safe for us.”
He said he hoped he would be able to visit again later.
“It’s a bit disappointing,” he said. “It’s not our country’s decision, it’s what is happening there. Lebanon is our sister country and we have good friends from there. So hopefully once the situation gets better, Lebanon will go back to its old days.”
Asma Lootah, a Dubai-based Emirati, said the ban had resulted in her passing up a job interview in Beirut.
“They wanted me to come for an interview in Lebanon but I asked a few people and they said don’t go,” she said. “It’s a shame, but if the government is implementing it, then citizens will take precautions.”
Lebanese residents in the UAE said the ban changed nothing for them. “This is not the first time it has happened,” said 36-year-old Caline El K, who has lived in the UAE for eight years. “It’s their decision, but as a Lebanese, I will still go five to six times a year because my family is there.”
Dana Karam, whose family lives in the city of Saida, said this would not affect her travel plans. “I guess it’s because of the instability in the region,” she said. “My family is enough of a reason to visit but I can understand why people who don’t have a connection would get worried.”
Farid Hobeiche, 31, a Lebanese who has been in the UAE for 10 years, planned to fly to Beirut this weekend.
“It won’t affect my plans,” he said. “If it’s due to security, I would postpone it a couple of weeks to see what’s happening, but I haven’t looked into the reason. I still need to go see my family, at the end of the day.”
Soraya Jouzy, who works in the hospitality industry, recently flew back from the Lebanese capital. “The security felt fine everywhere, including at the airport,” she said. “My main issue there is related to health. A lot of people are sick due to the rubbish on the streets.”
