Hezbollah supporters demonstrated in Beirut against the barring of two Iranian flights, blocking access to the airport and igniting tensions. The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation is managing logistics to assist stranded passengers, while Israeli officials assert that Hezbollah is utilizing civilian flights for arms smuggling. The protests reflect underlying geopolitical tensions and the complexities of Lebanese-Israeli relations.
On Thursday, Hezbollah supporters protested the barring of two Iranian flights from landing in Beirut by blocking the airport road and setting tyres ablaze. Demonstrators displayed posters of the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Footage by news agency AFP showed the protests intensified, with Lebanese army forces deployed to manage the situation and clashes occurring between protesters and soldiers.
In the wake of the protests, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Lebanon stated it is coordinating with the national carrier to facilitate a flight for Lebanese passengers stranded in Tehran. The directorate indicated that additional security measures were being implemented to enhance airport security, leading to the temporary rescheduling of flights from Iran, including Mahan Air.
An airport official confirmed that the Lebanese Public Works and Transport Ministry instructed the airport to inform Iranian airline Mahan Air that two of its scheduled flights could not land in Beirut. The flights were redirected to the following week, aligning with the deadline for a ceasefire agreement stemming from a recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
During the protests, a video surfaced of a Lebanese man stranded at Tehran airport voicing frustration and urging fellow citizens to blockade the Beirut airport road. Meanwhile, Saeed Chalandri, the CEO of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, noted that permission from Lebanese authorities for the flight was not granted, which contradicted earlier statements from Israeli military officials regarding the use of Beirut airport for arms transfer by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has vehemently denied Israeli accusations concerning the transfer of weapons via Beirut’s airport, with officials reinforcing security and inspections at the facility. This follows a January incident involving an Iranian plane that ignited controversy among Hezbollah factions. One lawmaker, Ibrahim Al Moussawi, condemned the alleged Israeli threats, calling for Lebanon to take responsibility in resolving the dilemma faced by Lebanese citizens stranded abroad.
In summary, the protests by Hezbollah supporters over the barring of Iranian flights from Beirut highlight ongoing tensions surrounding Lebanon’s geopolitical situation. The Lebanese authorities have acknowledged the need for additional security measures due to allegations of arms smuggling through the airport. As the situation evolves, implications for Lebanese citizens and international relations remain significant.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
