Will there be another evacuation request from Canadians living in Lebanon?

It has been almost 2 years since the war between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerillas in Southern Lebanon. At the height of the conflict, many people were criticizing the Federal Conservative government for its slow response in evacuating Canadian citizens, many of whom had lived in that country for more than 10 years.

Despite the criticism, constant danger and the logistical difficulties, the Canadian government came through and evacuated, 15000 citizens from Lebanon, at its own expense. This did not stop a large percentage of these evacuees returning to Lebanon within 6 months, after the conflict ended. Many of them did not even bother to express gratitude to the Canadian government, and instead gave them the brunt of their criticism. To them, Canada seemed to be merely a country of convenience. They held Canadian passports, but their hearts were elsewhere. The only time they seemed to remember Canada was when war engulfed their country. In the good times, Canada was most likely just a passing thought.

Now just 2 years later, there is another conflict brewing on the streets of Beirut. There are open gun battles raging in some neighbourhoods. This time, it is between Hezbollah guerillas and Lebanese troops.

In his televised speech, Nasrallah offered harsh words for the government, blaming it for declaring war by banning Hezbollah's telecommunications system.

"We believe the war has started, and we believe that we have the right to defend ourselves," the Hezbollah leader said. "We will cut the hand that will reach out to the weapons of the resistance, no matter if it comes from the inside or the outside."

I am wondering how long it will be before we once again hear the predictable cries of those people who will once again demand that the Canadian government evacuate these people.

Stay tuned,

Tony