There is no future’: scores of Lebanese flee the economic crisis – The National

There is no future’: scores of Lebanese flee the economic crisis – The National

Emigration from cash-strapped country is increasing

















Anti-government protesters block a street after the Lebanese Ali Mohammad Al Haq, 61, shot himself in the head at Hamra street in Beirut, Lebanon, July 3, 2020. According to media reports, Al-Haq shot himself dead due to the economic and social situation in Lebanon. EPA







At dawn at Beirut airport, Wafic Saab bade a quick farewell to his wife and two young boys before they rushed through the gate, hurrying to catch their plane to Canada.



Mr Saab never thought the day would come when his Lebanese-Canadian wife would leave their country with little prospect of return.



"Life has become very hard here,“ said Mr Saab, as he stood alone in the near-empty departure hall. "I honestly do not know what awaits us.



"I will do my best for them to return but if you asked me whether I'm optimistic about it, I would say no. On the contrary, I'm very pessimistic.“



His wife, Lama Moubarak Saab, told The National as she pushed her trolley overflowing with luggage: "We don't know if a war is coming with Israel, or a civil war might break