First flights carrying Australians fleeing Lebanon land on home soil

ABC NEWS (Australia)

There have been emotional scenes at Brisbane and Sydney airports as more repatriation flights from Lebanon arrived while war rages in the Middle East. Many say returning home has brought a mixture of relief and anxiety for those left behind.

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00:00Joy and jubilation, safe in the arms of loved ones, the emotions raw and overwhelming.

00:11I'm just very grateful to have her home.

00:14Home after fleeing Lebanon, the danger evident on departure.

00:18Many heard explosions on the tarmac during take-off in Beirut.

00:23Daddy!

00:25The journey for these citizens was long but necessary.

00:29It was getting closer and closer and we just thought it's time to go.

00:33We can hear the bombing and we are so scared, our family is so scared.

00:37We appreciate our government to bring us back home safe.

00:42Two more government evacuation flights touching down in Sydney, another in Brisbane, with around 770 Australians on board.

00:52I think they're relieved to be back home.

00:54Feeling much better, much more relieved.

00:56Are you excited to be home?

00:58Yeah, can't wait to see my mum.

01:00Julie Pritchard hadn't seen her daughter and grandchildren for nearly six years.

01:05Yeah, I just can't wait to see them, give them the biggest hug.

01:09Rima was reunited with her husband who was particularly grateful.

01:14God bless Australia, I'm going to be paying my taxes 100%.

01:19You do pay your taxes!

01:21Of the thousands of Australians still in Lebanon, more than 1,600 have escaped so far.

01:28About 3,500 are registered to leave.

01:31But as tensions rise in the region, the government warns future flights aren't guaranteed.

01:37For those back on home soil, the relief is tinged with trepidation.

01:43For anyone, any family, indiscriminate, whatever their religion or background is, we don't want this war upon anyone.

01:51For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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