2025-02-13T20:07:54+00:00

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Shafaq News/ Protesters blocked the
road leading to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday in
response to the airport authorities’ decision to refuse entry to an Iranian
flight carrying dozens of Lebanese passengers.

The demonstrators set fire to tires,
creating roadblocks, while tensions rose during clashes with Lebanese military
personnel who attempted to clear the route.

Protesters are demanding that the
Iranian flight be allowed to land at the airport like any other flight. They
argue that the Lebanese authorities’ decision followed Israeli accusations of
Iran and Hezbollah using civilian flights to smuggle money for weapons
purchases.

Videos circulating on social media
showed Lebanese passengers stranded at Tehran’s airport after Beirut refused to
allow the Iranian flight, operated by Mahan Air, to land, despite prior
authorization being granted.

The situation has sparked widespread
anger and confusion among the Lebanese public, with calls for urgent government
action. Reports suggest the Lebanese government may send a national carrier
flight to Tehran to bring the passengers home.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay
Adraee claimed that the refusal was part of efforts to prevent weapon smuggling
to Hezbollah, vowing that Israel would not allow such activities.

Since October 2024, the Lebanese
army has been overseeing aircraft operations at the airport, including
takeoffs, landings, and inspections, in an attempt to prevent any violations
that Israel might use as a justification to disrupt aviation.

Lebanese politicians, particularly
those opposed to Hezbollah, have long accused the group of controlling vital
facilities, including the airport, for weapon and money smuggling from Iran.

Under the ceasefire agreement that
took effect in November 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, the Lebanese
government has been granted authority over all crossings in the country,
including regulating arms imports.