SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia, Inc is calling on the Government to take all possible measures to extricate Australian tourists stranded in Beirut, Lebanon as soon and as safely as possible.
Approximately 80 members of the Sydney Armenian Community dance group, most of them young children and teenagers, are among many Australians currently stranded in Beirut. The Hamazkaine Sevan Dance Group was returning home, via Beirut, from an invitation performance tour of Armenia, when Beirut international airport was bombed by the Israeli air force during the recently heightened conflict. They are now stranded in what appears to be quickly becoming a war-zone, leaving many very concerned parents here in Sydney.
“We are heartened by the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Australian Consular staff in Beirut, has very quickly got in contact with the dance group to confirm that they are all ok and to keep in contact with them†said Mr Khajaque Kortian, a spokesperson for the Armenian National Committee of Australia.
Mr Kortian added - “Whilst we urge the dance group and all other Australians stranded in Lebanon to follow the Department of Foreign Affairs’ prudent advice regarding this situation as it unfolds, we call on the Government to take all measures possible to ensure the their quick and safe return to Australiaâ€
As news of the predicament of the young Australians broke yesterday, the Armenian National Committee of Australia Inc has been liasing with concerned parents, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the offices of a number of Ministers, including those of Foreign Minister Downer regarding the situation.
