Americans in Libya Ferried Off To Malta
CHETRY: It's ten minutes past the hour. Welcome back to "American Morning." To Libya now where their leader Moammar Gadhafi showing no signs he plans to step down any time soon despite the mounting pressue. His son, meantime, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi tells CNN's sister network CNN Turk moments ago that his family has no plans to leave. He said, in fact, there's a plan a, b, and c to, quote, "live and die in Libya." Meanwhile, the violence continues west of Tripoli in a town reportedly under opposition control. At least 17 people reported killed. Also Americans stranded in Libya could be leaving today. Many are still aboard waiting on this ferry in Tripoli. The ferry has not been able to go on to its destination of Malta, an island nation north because of the bad weather.</s>HOLMES: Well, some Americans have been able to get out of Libya on their own. Our next guests both made it out of Libya and made it home Wednesday night. Cyrus Sany and George Sayar, thank you both for being here. Cyrus, I'll start with you. You've been there a number of times. How many times, actually -- trips had you made to Libya?</s>CYRUS SANY, JUST RETURNED FROM LIBYA: In the last two and a half years, 28 times.</s>HOLMES: When did you start to notice some kind of a change that you thought something was going on and you might be in trouble and need to get out of there?</s>SANY: By the last Wednesday. I got there about Saturday, February 1th, or February 12th. And a couple days after that I noticed that the stores started closing down and the riots start happening in the street. It was a pro-Gadhafi riot near Tripoli.</s>HOLMES: And George, was that when you noticed a change there, as well?</s>GEORGE SAYAR, JUST RETURNED FROM LIBYA: No, I actually noticed a change a few days after that. We noticed the change Saturday -- the Saturday during the day and Saturday evening.</s>HOLMES: What did you notice, George that you would say was different and you thought something was going to go down?</s>SAYAR: Well, we noticed a lot of civilians -- people with civilian clothing that were brandishing weapons. And the next day on Monday, we noticed more military type personnel with, you know, heavy weapons driving the streets of Tripoli.</s>HOLMES: Now, both of you do work there in Libya. And Cyrus, I'll come back to you. Were you ever -- you've been in and out of there 28 times. Were you ever concerned before this latest unrest that your safety could be an issue?</s>SANY: No, not the last 28 times. It was like a tsunami hit Tripoli. The last 28 times I was going there, nothing happened. It was -- it was a very safe haven for doing business and all of a sudden Wednesday, Thursday when the stores started shutting down and the people started coming to the street, that's when I sensed it was time to get out.</s>HOLMES: And Cyrus, you say like a tsunami. Were you in a position where you did not want to be outside on the streets of Tripoli at all?</s>SANY: Exactly. It's like, I can blend in very nicely. I speak Arabic. So I can blend in very nicely. But I sense that this is the end. All of a sudden something like the tsunami hit the shore of Tripoli and I said it's time to get out.</s>HOLMES: George, describe this airport for me. We know some Americans are sitting on that ferry trying to get over to Malta. You took it upon yourself to get out on your own. How much of a mess was it trying to get out of the airport?</s>SAYAR: The airport, T.J., was a mess. I would say there was approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people, most of them without tickets, you know, trying to get in the three entrances into the terminal. It was utter chaos.</s>HOLMES: How were you able to get out, then?</s>SAYAR: Well, we pretty much had to push and shove our way through thousands of people. And myself and two of my colleagues finally made it after about three hours of pushing, shoving, and kicking.</s>HOLMES: Cyrus, did you notice a lot of other -- you've been there 28 times so I'm sure you may have made some friends and colleagues over there, but are there a lot of people as far as you know who are trying to get out like you and didn't get as lucky as you?</s>SANY: That's correct. I was very lucky. It was like 5,000 people trying to get in a couple of doors. And it was shoving, pushing, it was just like whoever is the stronger was surviving. About 150 feet it took me six hours to get from the parking lot to the ticket counter. And it was a mess. It was a very extreme experience I had in my life that I'll never forget how people were struggling to get out.</s>HOLMES: And gentlemen, both of you were doing work. One of you, Cyrus, I believe, you were doing technology more so. And George, you were doing more the traditional infrastructure of roads and bridges. Were you both doing work for the government?</s>SAYAR: Yes.</s>SANY: Yes.</s>HOLMES: The government there. Well, did you all ever before this have any reservation -- and we see what's happening now and we know Moammar Gadhafi's history. George, did you have any reservations about doing business with this government and specifically this man?</s>SAYAR: Never, not once. The Libyan government is spending -- was spending tens of billions of dollars to improve their infrastructure. We felt very safe there. Our workers felt safe there, and it was just a great place to do business.</s>HOLMES: Cyrus, to you, the same question. Did you ever have any reservations about doing business with this government, and, again, directly with this man?</s>SANY: No, I have no reservations. He tried to make a safe haven to doing the business for his country and these people. And as soon as I bring technology for them, they always asked the money's no option, just bring the best technology and best design for us. We want to move on in technology. And I have no reservation right now to go back and do business with the government of Libya.</s>HOLMES: Well, I think I read from both of you that you would like to complete your work at some point. And there's a lot of talk about infrastructure and the work you're doing is so necessary in Libya these days. But gentlemen, I appreciate being able to talk to you state side today. Hopefully many other Americans will be able to escape to safety, as well. Enjoy your weekend.</s>SAYAR: Thank you.</s>SANY: Thank you.</s>HOLMES: Kiran?</s>CHETRY: Up next on "American Morning," in just a week the government could be closed for business. That means no paychecks for government workers except for one group. We'll tell you who still gets paid as the federal budget showdown continues. Also Sun Chips, you may remember their bag that was so noisy, they had to scrap it. Now they promise they have a new and improved version and you don't need ear plugs. It's 17 minutes past the hour.