FRANCE: French evacuees from Libyan crisis arrive in Paris

Record ID: 783459

  • Title: FRANCE: French evacuees from Libyan crisis arrive in Paris
  • Date: 24th February 2011
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 23, 2011) (REUTERS) AIRPORT EXTERIOR VARIOUS OF AIRPORT WITH PARAMEDICS WAITING FLIGHT DETAILS ON TELEVISION SCREEN
  • Embargoed: 11th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7DDLPMZLD62MU44EQFVAZXXFK
  • Story Text: The first of approximately 500 French nationals arrived on board emergency flights into Paris early on Wednesday (February 23).
    Tired but relieved passengers filed past journalists but many declined to comment on their ordeal.
    One woman however, said, "we are happy above all. But it's the end. The trip was really long. We didn't see anything, we didn't hear anything, there was no bombing, like it was reported in France. I can guarantee you that."
    She added, ""that was really sudden. If you told me five days ago that I would be in France today, I would have laughed at you."
    The passengers were on board the first of three French air force charters which were ordered to Tripoli by Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie on Tuesday (February 22).
    Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Tuesday vowed to crush the growing revolt against his rule which has seen eastern regions of the country break free from his control.
    Some 750 French people live in the North African country, and Alliot-Marie said France's ambassador there would help them reach Tripoli airport safely.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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