The Obvious Question

How in the hell are there so many foreigners in Lebanon? This week countries from all over the world have begun moving their citizens out of Lebanon to escape the Israeli onslaught. Though few people have said it, this is one of the most massive movements of people in a long time; the British press has hailed it as the biggest movement of people since Dunkirk in World War Two. I'll accept that comparison just as long as Hizbullah isn't (groan) referred to as the new Nazi party of the twenty first century.

From my brief count of news stories I've read on the subject, I'd guess that at least 250,000 foreigners are leaving Lebanon. And that's possibly a low figure. Did you know that there were 30,000 Philippinos in Lebanon? What about the 40,000 Canadians or the 80,000 Sri Lankans? Incredible!

What's going on here? Are these foreigners all employed by the UN feeding, educating and processing all the Palestinian refugees in camps dotted about the country? That's one group that won't be leaving the country. The Palestinians wouldn't have anywhere to go.

I know that Lebanon is a financial hub for the Middle East but it seems strange that with most of their population living below the poverty line that they would need the expertise of 30,000 Philippinos or 80,000 Sri Lankans.

What the heck is going on here? Why are there so many foreigners in Lebanon? Why is no one asking this glaringly obvious question?

Does anyone have an answer for me?