Hezbollah’s Ghaleb Abu Zeinab criticized the Lebanese government’s handling of Iranian flights at Beirut’s airport. He advocated for better relations with Iran, opposing submission to U.S. demands. Protests erupted following the airport’s decision to reschedule Iranian flights. Efforts were made to bring stranded Lebanese citizens back from Iran amid ongoing tensions with Israel.
A senior member of Hezbollah, Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, criticized the Lebanese government’s response to the recent crisis at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, emphasizing the importance of maintaining effective relations with Iran. In an interview with al-Manar’s TV channel, Abu Zeinab expressed discontent over the government’s decision to temporarily suspend Iranian flights, which resulted in protests blocking access to the airport.
Abu Zeinab stated, “It is in Lebanon’s interest that its relations with Iran are at their best,” urging Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to promote balanced relations with both Iran and the United States. He contended that Lebanon should not adhere to U.S. dictates regarding its foreign policy.
On Thursday, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the rescheduling of flights from Iran due to enhanced security measures, which sparked public protests. Following these demonstrations, the Lebanese authorities made efforts to repatriate citizens stranded in Iran, dispatching two planes from Middle East Airlines, which faced landing restrictions in Iran.
Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, mentioned Tehran’s intention to restore operations between the nations and stated that the Lebanese request for an alternative evacuation flight was contingent on not prohibiting Iranian flights. These developments are occurring against a backdrop of Israeli threats aimed at Iranian aircraft flying to Lebanon.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned Israel’s intimidation tactics, asserting that they disrupted normal flight operations to Beirut. Previously, in September, Lebanon’s Transport Ministry had directed an Iranian aircraft to refrain from entering its airspace after Israel issued warnings regarding the use of force against it.
In conclusion, the tensions surrounding Lebanese relations with Iran regarding air travel underscore a critical geopolitical dilemma for Lebanon. The calls from Hezbollah for balanced relations with both Iran and the U.S. highlight the internal dynamics within Lebanese politics, especially in light of regional hostilities. Further negotiations and diplomatic efforts appear necessary to address the ongoing conflicts and ensure the safe travel of Lebanese citizens.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
