Hezbollah official Ghaleb Abu Zeinab criticized Lebanon’s handling of an airport crisis involving Iranian flights, emphasizing the importance of fair relations with Iran. Protests erupted following the government’s temporary ban on Iranian planes, and efforts are underway to repatriate stranded Lebanese citizens. Iran’s Ambassador expressed readiness to restore flights, contingent upon the Lebanese government allowing Iranian planes to operate without obstruction, amid ongoing tensions with Israel.
Hezbollah’s Ghaleb Abu Zeinab criticized the Lebanese government’s management of a recent crisis at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, emphasizing that maintaining fair relations with Iran serves Lebanon’s best interests. His remarks followed public backlash against the government’s decision to ban Iranian flights temporarily, leading to protests that blocked access to the airport.
Abu Zeinab articulated that the Lebanese government’s decision regarding an Iranian aircraft carrying Lebanese passengers was ill-advised and detrimental to national interests. He called for Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to foster balanced relations with both Iran and the United States, urging the government to resist US pressures.
Following the ban, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation indicated that it had temporarily adjusted flight schedules, including service from Iran, to implement additional security measures. In response, protests erupted with citizens blocking roads and burning tires to express their discontent over the situation.
As the protests unfolded, Lebanese authorities initiated efforts to repatriate citizens stranded in Iran by dispatching Middle East Airlines flights, though Iran initially denied permission for these aircraft to land. Foreign Minister Joe Raggi stated that discussions were underway with Iranian officials to resolve the issue.
Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, indicated Tehran’s willingness to restore flight operations between the two nations, contingent upon Lebanese authorities allowing Iranian planes to operate unblocked. This discussion occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions with Israel, which issued warnings related to Iranian aircraft approaching Lebanon.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s threats against Iranian flights, emphasizing that these intimidations disrupt normal aviation operations and violate international law. This situation has led to escalated monitoring between Lebanese and Iranian airspace, particularly following a September incident where an aircraft was ordered not to enter Lebanese airspace under Israeli pressure.
The situation at Beirut airport exemplifies the complexities Lebanon faces regarding its foreign relations, particularly with Iran and the pressures exerted by the United States and Israel. Hezbollah’s call for a balanced approach highlights the tension between maintaining national sovereignty and navigating external influences. Continued diplomatic engagement will be critical in resolving both the immediate crisis and broader geopolitical challenges.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
