Drivers To Syria Weigh İn On Unrest

Taxis, buses and minibuses depart several times a day to Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama from Beirut’s bus stations of Cola and Charles Helou, which appeared busy as the week drew to a close.

Passengers and drivers at the Charles Helou bus station said the protests taking place in Syria had not affected their business, as some accused the media of distorting the reality.
“Nothing’s changed, everything is normal, there are no problems,” said a minibus driver who refused to give his name, as he pointed at three minibuses surrounded by passengers waiting to depart, with some packing their belongings on the roof and inside the truck of the vehicle.

“Nothing is happening in Syria, everything is perfect and those saying the contrary are lying, said another minibus driver about to leave to Aleppo, who also preferred not to give his name.

Varouj Khatchadourian, the manager of a bus company, said his business was running as usual.

“Nothing’s happening, we have the same number of people,” he said showing his reservations booklet. “The 4 p.m. bus is full, 7:30 p.m., bus is full, 12 a.m., bus is full,” he said, eager to stress that “the government is working well” in Syria and that there were “only some outlaws” disturbing he country’s order.