US citizens begin ‘assisted departure’ from Lebanon

THE United States expects to evacuate more than 6,000 of its citizens fleeing Israeli air raids against Lebanon by Friday, the commander of the operation said yesterday.

Nine US military ships, including a helicopter carrier and a dock landing ship, and thousands of marines and sailors were part of the evacuation operation.

Israel’s week-long attacks launched in reprisal for the murder and kidnap of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerrillas have forced thousands of Lebanese and foreigners to flee Lebanon.