Hezbollah Supporters Protest Iranian Flight Ban in Beirut
Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut after Iranian flights were barred from landing, blocking the airport road and burning tires. The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation is working to transport stranded travelers from Tehran, while security measures are enhanced at the airport. Israeli officials allege Hezbollah misuses airport facilities for arms transfers, a claim vehemently denied by Lebanese authorities.
On Thursday, Hezbollah supporters protested a decision to bar two Iranian planes from landing at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. Protesters blocked access to the airport by burning tires and waving Hezbollah flags, while expressing their support for the group’s former Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, and the late Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. The Lebanese army was deployed to the area, where confrontations between protestors and soldiers occurred, as captured in various videos released online.
The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that it was coordinating with the national airline to facilitate flights for Lebanese passengers currently stranded at Tehran Airport. They indicated that new security measures were being implemented to enhance safety at the airport, which had previously informed relevant airlines about the need for additional security protocols. As a result, some flights from Iran were temporarily rescheduled until February 18th.
An official at the airport revealed that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport had instructed them to inform Mahan Air that two of its scheduled flights from Tehran could not land in Beirut. One flight was planned for Thursday and another for Friday, which have since been postponed to the following week. This rescheduling coincides with a deadline related to a ceasefire agreement that concluded significant hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Further complications arose when a Lebanese man, stranded in Tehran, recorded a video urging fellow citizens to take action and block access to the airport in Beirut. His call amplified concerns among those awaiting return. Saeed Chalandri, the CEO of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, stated that permission for the flight to Beirut had not been granted by Lebanese authorities.
Israeli military representatives asserted that Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah had been using Beirut’s airport to transport funds intended for the arming of Hezbollah. They claimed to have provided information to a committee responsible for identifying ceasefire violations. Despite such accusations, Hezbollah and Lebanese officials vehemently denied any such activities, emphasizing their commitment to heightened security and inspections at the airport.
In a previous incident in January, an Iranian plane with a diplomatic delegation was subject to inspection, leading to significant unrest among Hezbollah supporters while garnering approval from its opponents. Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim Al Moussawi condemned Israeli threats against the airport and urged the Lebanese government to prioritize the safe return of its citizens while resisting external pressures.
The protests by Hezbollah supporters reflect the heightened tensions surrounding Iranian flights to Lebanon amid accusations from Israel regarding arms smuggling. The temporary ban on two Iranian flights has sparked immediate backlash, leading to demonstrations and calls for action among those impacted. Despite Israeli claims, Lebanese authorities continue to assert their sovereignty and manage safety protocols at the airport.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
