One of the more interesting articles I've seen is this one from the network's Arabic site. The title : "Wave of Escapes in Egypt." Apparently, dozens and dozens of important Egyptians are leaving the country on private planes. The Cairo airport is backed up trying to service them all.
Who is leaving? Businessmen, the rich, politicians, and presumably other VIPs associated with the Mubarak regime. Business tycoons and Mubarak associates Hussein Salem and Nagib Sawris were reported to be among those departing. They're taking their families with them...the article mentions one family of 9 carrying 17 bags.
Where are they going? Most of them are headed to Dubai.
Interestingly, airport sources reveal that Lebanon, Jordan, KSA, and the UAE are also busy getting their diplomats' families out of Egypt. Not surprisingly, Israel has also airlifted dozens of its nationals out of Egypt.
8 comments:
Do you think Hamas will airlift their people out and back to the Gaza Strip?
Hah -
Hamas would have a tough time doing that since they don't control their own borders and airspace. They could, of course, get them out through the tunnels.
I'm not sure how many Hamas men are in Egypt anyway. I know it's been proven that there are some in Sinai. I imagine that Hamas would be trying to get their guys INTO Egypt now, rather than getting them out.
Great post! Im curious as to why they would choose to flee to Dubai rather than to western powers like Europe and the US? Business relations?
the israelis that have arrived have reported that the riots are not as bad as they are made to look in the media..
Israel is freaked out, make no mistake about that.
The Brotherhood said that they will put it all up to a popular vote ... which could mean a number of things.
On the Israeli side, it changes their whole defense doctrine; and might make the PA come off as the "best Arabs" in the Middle East their going to find.
Any thoughts on that?
I think this might work out positively for the "peace process." If Israel feels the heat on its border, then they might be more willing to come down from their hardline, likud positions of the last few years.
It's too bad that the Israelis didn't respond to the Arab Peace Initiative while it lasted, because the odds are that the offer is going to be off the table now that Mubarak is (almost) gone.
I'm not sure why they chose Dubai as their destination...it must be Dubai's business centrality and its trends of welcoming other sketchy characters. The AJ article didn't give any reasons for it.
i agree that it is a shame our government didnt respond.. i tyhink it was a huge mistake.. having said that the PA is making leaps and bounds in terms of improving the lives of westbankers and israel while not totally on board has still made some changes that have facilitated this.. personal security - through improving coordination - has been a huge help as well..
i wouldnt say that israel is terrified.. if anything i think its provided some relief from the constant news on iran we used to have..
but yes there is growing concern as the news starts to focus only this.. i think everyone is kind of waiting for teh news to change..
because afterall its only happening if it is reported.. right? sadly..
i thinksome of us are encouraged by the relatively low levels of violence reported - albeit due to the sympathy that the army has with the cause in egypt..
i think our politicians here in israel dont know quite what to say - they seem afraid to piss off whoever survives this turmoil and it doesnt yet seem clear who thats gonna be..
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