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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 4, 2006

KCC professor slated to be evacuated today

By Brittany Yap
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Kapi'olani Community College economics professor stranded in Beirut received word yesterday that he will be evacuated today on a U.S. military helicopter.

Ibrahim Dik has been trapped in Lebanon since Israel started bombing the country in mid-July. Dik, who has been trying to get to Cyprus, said the U.S. Embassy told him he will leave today about 12:30 a.m. Hawai'i time.

Prior to getting to the evacuation point, Dik had been staying with relatives in Aouker. He said aircraft were constantly overhead and the noise was "like a lawnmower."

Dik said he's "doing fine" but is "very anxious." He has occupied his days in Beirut by sending e-mails to his family and friends back home.

"I didn't go outdoors," he said.

He has a flight arrangement from Cyprus to Bahrain on Gulf Airlines on Tuesday. From there he will fly through Singapore and Japan before returning to Honolulu on Aug. 11.

"I'm making a long trip," Dik said.

He is on standby for a flight tomorrow out of Cyprus. "Cyprus is very busy now with all the people (being evacuated)," he said.

The 62-year-old professor arrived in Lebanon on May 26 with his wife, Susan, also a KCC professor.

Susan Dik flew to Malaysia to finish a fellowship a week and a half before the bombing started. She returned to O'ahu Wednesday.

Reach Brittany Yap at byap@honoluluadvertiser.com.