Bassam Zaazaa Beirut

The people of Lebanon are continuing to maintain their sense of humor despite enduring one of the worst economic meltdowns in their country’s history.

Even before, during and after the 1975-1990 civil war, the situation was not as bad, and since the uprising of Oct. 17 last year, things have got worse.

Thousands of employees have lost or are on the verge of losing their jobs, while wages have been cut and hundreds of companies and shops have been forced to close.

However, the country’s financial crisis has not damaged the Lebanese sense of fun.

Following businessman Carlos Ghosn’s dramatic escape from Japan and arrival in Beirut on Dec. 30, Lebanese social media users have seen the funny side of the former auto executive’s flight to freedom, launching an online meme campaign.

The ex-Nissan chief was awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial wrongdoing when he fled the country. Platforms have been describing Ghosn’s flit as similar to a scene from the 1963 war movie “The Great Escape,” with users comparing him to the film’s star, US actor Steve McQueen.

Memes showed Ghosn’s face superimposed over McQueen’s on the flick’s promotional poster famously showing him making his escape from a German PoW camp on a motorbike.

In a photo-shopped Twitter meme, the 65-year-old ex-CEO was also shown questioning in an Arabic tweet how he could get out of Lebanon.

Others were written in Arabic, expressing Japan’s disbelieve at the situation, with one hashtag showing an image and text declaring “Carlos is not here.”

Mocking reports that Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan in a musical instrument box, one post showed an image of a huge Hitachi box with a caption in Arabic that said: “Ghosn at Beirut Airport.”