Hezbollah asserts that fostering equitable relations with Iran serves Lebanon’s interests
A high-ranking official from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement has criticized the Lebanese government's management of the recent crisis at Beirut's airport on Thursday. The official emphasized that fostering equitable relations with Iran aligns with Lebanon's national interests.
Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, a senior official within the Hezbollah Politburo, confirmed in an interview with al-Manar TV that violent demonstrations erupted along the routes to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. This unrest followed the government’s decision in the Arab nation to impose a temporary prohibition on Iranian aircraft from landing.
Abu Zeinab criticized the Lebanese government’s handling of the incident at Beirut’s airport, where an Iranian aircraft transporting Lebanese passengers was denied landing rights, describing the approach as disappointing and flawed.
A Lebanese official emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations with Iran for Lebanon, urging Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to pursue a balanced diplomatic approach with both Iran and the United States. The official stated that Lebanon’s government should resist pressure to conform to U.S. demands.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Lebanon announced on Thursday the temporary rescheduling of certain flights, including those originating from Iran, until February 18. This adjustment is part of the implementation of enhanced security measures.
Later in the day, a group of demonstrators in Lebanon obstructed roads leading to Beirut’s airport and set tires ablaze in response to the country’s recent decision.
Following the demonstrations at the airport, officials announced their efforts to repatriate Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran. This operation will utilize aircraft from Middle East Airlines, which is headquartered in Beirut.
Following the obstruction of an Iranian flight, Lebanon initiated efforts on Friday to repatriate its citizens by deploying two aircraft from its national carrier, Middle East Airlines, to Iran. However, Lebanese authorities faced a setback as Iran denied the planes permission to land on its soil, leaving the repatriation mission in limbo.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Joe Raggi, announced to the Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed that his ministry is actively collaborating with Iranian officials to address and resolve the ongoing issue.
In a televised interview on Friday, Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, announced that Tehran is working towards resuming flights between Iran and Lebanon. He disclosed that the Lebanese government has requested an alternative aircraft to replace the current Iranian plane for the evacuation of Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran.
According to Amani, Tehran may consent to the evacuation flights operated by Middle East Airlines, provided that the Iranian flights are allowed to continue without obstruction from the Lebanese authorities.
The recent events align with Israel’s warnings concerning Iranian aircraft arriving in Lebanon.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, announced that a threat from the Israeli regime against a passenger aircraft transporting Lebanese nationals has led to disruptions in regular flight services to Beirut Airport.
Baghaei denounced Israel for what he described as “flagrant and ongoing breaches of international law, as well as infringements on Lebanon’s national sovereignty.”
In September, the Lebanese Ministry of Transport directed an Iranian aircraft to avoid entering the nation’s airspace, following a warning from Israel to Beirut’s airport air traffic control. Israel reportedly threatened to use “force” should the aircraft proceed to land.
