Iran has denied a landing request from Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines, leading to the cancellation of flights and protests at Beirut’s airport. The request must be processed through the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, causing delays due to a public holiday in Iran. Tensions escalated with accusations from Israel regarding Hezbollah, which Hezbollah fiercely denied, calling for condemnation of Israel’s actions.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority has denied a landing request from Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines for two aircraft in Tehran. The denial was based on the requirement that such requests must go through Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry in accordance with bilateral regulations. The Lebanese ambassador in Tehran is preparing an official letter for the Iranian Foreign Ministry to facilitate the request, but a public holiday in Iran may cause delays.
Consequently, hundreds of Lebanese passengers have been left stranded at Tehran’s airport for over four hours following the cancellation of their scheduled Iran Air flight to Beirut due to the lack of landing clearance. A Beirut airport official confirmed that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport instructed Mahan Air that their two flights—one planned for Thursday evening and another for Friday—would not be allowed to land, postponing them until the following week.
The situation escalated as protesters blocked roads near Beirut’s airport, igniting tensions by burning tires and criticizing the Lebanese government’s actions as a breach of national sovereignty. This outcry was intensified by comments from an Israeli military spokesperson who accused Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah of using Beirut’s airport for funding military activities against Israel.
Hezbollah vehemently rejected these allegations, claiming that Israel’s accusations represented escalating violations of Lebanese sovereignty. The organization also criticized the international community, particularly the United States, for complicity and called for global condemnation of Israel’s actions, while urging for international intervention.
This aviation dispute follows a recent incident on January 3 when Lebanese authorities conducted a comprehensive inspection of an Iranian aircraft that was transporting a diplomatic delegation, a development that has stirred political controversies within Lebanon.
In conclusion, the ongoing aviation dispute between Iran and Lebanon has resulted in significant complications for passengers and heightened tensions regarding national sovereignty. The protests near Beirut’s airport illustrate the frustration of citizens towards government decisions, further exacerbated by international accusations involving Israel and Hezbollah. With the situation still unfolding, the diplomatic ramifications appear increasingly complex.
Original Source: shafaq.com
