Dance troupe arrives back in Sydney

ABC Transcripts (Australia)
SHOW: AM 8:12 AM AEST ABC

Members of a Sydney dance troupe have arrived back in Sydney to
emotional scenes, after being stranded in Lebanon after the crisis
broke out.

Eighteen dancers and supporters of the the Armenian dance troupe
touched down at Sydney airport overnight, on a flight from Jordan.

The rest of the group will arrive on separate flights over the next
two days.

Fifteen-year-old dancer Annette Mazmanian was clearly relieved to be
back on home soil, and with her parents.

"I just feel much relieved that I’m home," she said.

"As much as you’re far away from your parents and you have your
friends around, you just want to come back home as soon as you can .

"With the bombs going on, it’s the first time I’ve ever felt that way.

"Words can’t explain I just wanted to hug them and never let go."

This morning, 65 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are leaving
for the Middle East.

They will be helping the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) evacuate
Australians caught up in violence.

Brigadier Mick Kehoe says 19 ADF members are already in the area
working with DFAT.

"In all likelihood some will remain in Cyprus," he said.

"Some will be on the ground in Lebanon and operate in direction
and under direction… of the DFAT personnel who’ll be managing the
evacuation of Australian nationals."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress