The head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, Hossein Pourfarzaneh, has announced that due to ongoing security problems at Beirut airport, all flights to Lebanon have been canceled until the 18th of this month at the earliest.
In a statement to journalists, Mr. Pourfarzaneh Pourfarzaneh commented on the news of Israel's threat to “target Iranian aircraft flying to Lebanon”, saying: “I didn't hear the word threat, but in light of what was discussed in writing between the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization and Lebanon, the Lebanese side informed us that due to the particular security conditions in Beirut and the cancellation of all external flights, it was decided to suspend Iranian flights to Lebanon until February 18 this year, and therefore Iranian passenger operations will stop during this period.”
The Iranian official stressed that the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization would be following this issue on a daily basis, adding: “We will certainly resolve this problem,” according to Sky News Arabia, citing Iranian media.
Lebanese authorities blocked an Iranian plane from flying to Beirut on Thursday following a warning from the United States that Israel might target the airport, a Lebanese security source told AFP.
The ban, which was extended to another flight on Friday, triggered protests from Hezbollah supporters, who blocked the road leading to Beirut’s International Airport (BIA).
“Through the Americans, Israel informed the Lebanese state that it would strike the airport if the Iranian plane landed in Lebanon. The American side conveyed that Israel was serious about its threat,” the security source said.
Citing the risk of an Israeli strike, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, in consultation with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, decided to deny flight authorization, notifying the airline before takeoff, the source added.
“The best solution was for this plane not to land to avoid endangering the airport, even though Lebanese security imposes strict controls on Iranian flights,” the source said.
Prime Minister Salam affirmed on Saturday that “the security of Beirut airport takes precedence over any other consideration, and the safety of travelers as well as the security of Lebanese citizens are elements with which we will not compromise.”
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut’s airport to transport weapons from Iran, allegations that Hezbollah has denied.
Lebanon remains under a fragile ceasefire since November 27, following over a year of hostilities and two months of open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
With AFP
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