Former Hostage Evacuates Lebanon, Again

CYPRUS, July 18, 2006 — -- The image of Americans arriving in Cyprus after fleeing Lebanon was painfully familiar to one of the U.S. citizens making the journey. Joseph Ciccipio was a hostage for five years during Lebanon's civil war, and now again was forced to flee the country for safety.

"We all thought the place was peaceful now," Ciccipio said in Cyprus, where he and his wife have taken refuge. "That time, the time of the hostages was long past. We all believed that. Everything exploded overnight."

Ciccipio was taken hostage in 1986 while working for American University in Lebanon. He and his wife, Elham, were reunited in 1991 when he was freed, and they returned to the country many times, thinking it was safe and war was over for good.

Now the new violence brings back their worst memories.

"We thought we had paid the price. I mean, Lebanon went through a lot and I don't know why our destiny is always to pay the price," Elham Ciccipio said.

The United States is now organizing a mass exodus for those left behind in Lebanon, mobilizing nine ships, including the Orient Queen, which is expected to leave Beirut on Wednesday morning with as many as 1,000 Americans.

The evacuation plans call for a Saudi ferry to carry another 750 Americans, and seven naval warships will be on hand -- perhaps as a signal to Hezbollah not to interfere.

Many Americans wonder why the evacuation is only beginning now, so many days into the conflict.

France rented a Greek ferry to evacuate its citizens and is already preparing for a second trip. Later tonight, ships carrying Greek and Italian citizens are expected in Cyprus, while the first ships ferrying large numbers of Americans are not due to arrive until Wednesday.

And for many, that added delay has added days of fear and frustration to their experience.

The Ciccipios are among the lucky ones who were able to get out early, but the former hostage says he won't stay away forever.