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    BEIJING, July 20 -- As Israel's fierce bombardment of Lebanon entered its eighth day, the evacuation of foreign nationals continued. And neighboring countries like Syria have become safe havens for Lebanese refugees.

    Lebanon's prime minister, Fuad Siniora, said 300 people had been killed, 1,000 wounded, and half a million displaced as of Wednesday.

TV grab shows Lebanon's prime minister Fuad Siniora speaks at a news conference on July 19, 2006. He said 300 people had been killed, 1,000 wounded, and half a million displaced as of Wednesday. (CCTV Photo)

    Foreign nationals continue to pour out of Lebanon. By the end of Tuesday, the US military was using helicopters to move out 300 passengers a day. On Wednesday alone, 800 Americans were aired lifted from Beirut to Larnaca city in Cyprus, and more than 1,000 aboard a chartered cruise liner.

    Six chartered passenger ships positioned off the coast began evacuating the first of thousands of Canadians. About 30,000 Canadians have now registered with the embassy in Beirut. Canada has one of the largest groups of nationals in Lebanon.

    British helicopters and ships have also been busy transporting their evacuees to safety.

    Meanwhile, hundreds of Lebanese refugees have fled to Syria.

    Public buildings in Damascus have been open to refugees as makeshift centres. But space is becoming increasingly scarce, and food and medicine are also running short.

    (Source: CCTV.com)

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