First Batch of Lebanese Evacuated from Egypt Arrives in Beirut

The first Middle East Airlines plane carrying 170 Lebanese nationals who were evacuated from Egypt arrived in Beirut Sunday afternoon, state-run National News Agency reported.

It said MEA planned to make two more trips to Cairo tonight to bring home more Lebanese nationals wanting to leave Egypt.

Earlier Sunday, Lebanon's ambassador to Cairo Khaled Ziade informed Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami that Lebanese citizens in Egypt were safe following violent demonstrations against the Mubarak regime.

Shami's office said in a statement that the Caretaker foreign minister has been closely following up the situation of Lebanese nationals caught up in Egypt's upheaval.

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Cairo's airport over the weekend as flights were canceled or delayed. Several Arab nations, meanwhile, moved to evacuate their citizens.

Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan organized an additional 10 flights to evacuate their citizens, officials at Cairo International Airport said. Among those who left were families of diplomats.