Hezbollah supporters protested the banning of Iranian flights to Beirut, blocking airport roads and burning tires. The protests arose after two Iranian planes were not permitted to land, prompting military deployment and skirmishes. Meanwhile, the Lebanese aviation authority arranged for an evacuation flight for stranded citizens. Israel’s accusations against Hezbollah regarding arms transfer add complexity to the situation, which reflects broader tensions in the region.
Hezbollah supporters protested on Thursday against a decision to bar two Iranian planes from landing in Beirut. Demonstrators blocked the airport road, burning tires and showcasing banners in support of the group’s late Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Videos showed the protestors clad in Hezbollah’s yellow flags, with images of Nasrallah and Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who were memorialized during the gathering.
The Lebanese army was deployed to the area, and reports included altercations between protesters and military personnel. In response to the protests, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that it was coordinating an evacuation flight for Lebanese passengers stranded in Tehran, implementing additional security measures at the airport.
A ministry official stated that Mahan Air was instructed that two of its flights to Beirut would not be permitted to operate on the scheduled days, with reschedulings planned for the following week. These actions aligned with the timeline of a ceasefire agreement that concluded recent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
The protests were spurred by a video from a Lebanese man stuck at Tehran’s airport, urging others to block the Beirut airport roadway in frustration. According to the CEO of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, the flights were affected due to lack of necessary permissions from Lebanese authorities.
In recent statements, Israeli military officials claimed that Hezbollah has been utilizing Beirut’s airport to facilitate arms transfers from Iran, allegations that both Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have fervently denied. Tensions continue to rise over the issue, with Hezbollah representatives demanding governmental action against Israeli threats to the airport.
The protest by Hezbollah supporters highlights the tensions surrounding Iranian flights to Beirut and the implications of security measures that have been imposed due to foreign pressures. The Lebanese administration is caught between activist demonstrations and international scrutiny related to its relationship with Hezbollah and Iran. With flights rescheduled and ongoing accusations between Israel and Hezbollah, the situation remains highly volatile and politically charged. Key aspects include the Lebanese Army’s attempts to manage protests, the rescheduling of Iranian flights, and Israel’s accusations regarding arms smuggling. The commitment to adhere to security measures for international flights will play a crucial role in determining future interactions at Beirut’s airport.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
