Lebanon’s Relations with Iran Strained Amid Airport Protests and Israeli Threats
Ghaleb Abu Zeinab of Hezbollah emphasized the need for Lebanon to strengthen ties with Iran after violent protests against the Lebanese government’s temporary ban of Iranian aircraft. The Lebanese government faces pressure to avoid U.S. influence while attempting to facilitate the return of stranded citizens from Iran. Tensions with Israel further complicate the situation as both Hezbollah and Iranian officials call for restoring flight operations.
Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, a member of Hezbollah’s Politburo, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations with Iran during an interview with al-Manar TV. His remarks followed protests that erupted near Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, triggered by the Lebanese government’s decision to temporarily prevent Iranian planes from landing. Abu Zeinab criticized the government’s response to the incident, advocating that Lebanon must prioritize its relationship with Iran.
He urged Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to pursue balanced relations with both Iran and the United States, warning against the Lebanese government subordinating itself to U.S. directives. In response to the ban, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the temporary rescheduling of some flights from Iran, citing the need for additional security measures. This prompted locals to protest by blocking roads to the airport and burning tires.
Following the protests, Lebanese authorities initiated efforts to facilitate the return of citizens stranded in Iran, dispatching planes from Middle East Airlines to bring them home. However, Iran refused the Lebanese aircraft access to its airspace. Foreign Minister Joe Raggi indicated that they were in discussions with Iranian officials to resolve the flight issues.
Tehran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, expressed Iran’s willingness to restore air travel between the nations but conditioned it on Lebanon refraining from restricting Iranian flights. These developments unfolded amidst escalating tensions, including Israel’s warning against allowing Iranian planes to land in Lebanon.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, condemned Israel’s threats against passenger planes carrying Lebanese citizens, highlighting a violation of international law and Lebanon’s sovereignty. In September, Lebanon’s Transport Ministry had previously prohibited an Iranian aircraft from entering its airspace, following warnings from Israel regarding potential use of force.
The ongoing tensions surrounding flights between Lebanon and Iran, highlighted by protests over an airport ban, underscore the need for Lebanon to navigate its relationships delicately. Calls for stronger ties with Iran come amidst an environment of external pressures and internal dissent, while both governments seek to resolve the ongoing conflict related to airline operations and passenger evacuations. Both Iran and Lebanon appear committed to restoring normal flight operations, yet the complexities introduced by external actors such as Israel add significant challenges. The resolution will require a careful balancing act by Lebanese authorities to ensure national interests are protected while maintaining diplomatic engagements.
Original Source: en.mehrnews.com
