Want to be free from harm? It'll cost you.

"I heard the new today oh boy"...

The United States imposed a fee to evacuees of Lebanon. If they had no money, no entrance onto the ship.

Joanne Nucho, A PHD student studying at the American University in Beirut had this to say:

"all evacuees have signed promissory notes pledging to pay the U.S. back for safe passage to Cyprus, plus interest. Once in Cyprus, she said the government would not pay for hotel fees nor a return flight to the U.S."

In statements e-mailed to Americans in Lebanon and posted on the embassy's Web site, the State Department has stressed "that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date."